Arsenal legend Martin Keown reveals rating for Mikel Arteta’s first four years at Arsenal

Martin Keown praised Mikel Arteta's impact at Arsenal as the club legend rated the Spaniard’s first four years in charge.

Arteta celebrated his four-year anniversary as Gunners manager on Wednesday with his side sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League table.

During his time in the hot seat, Arteta has taken charge of 206 matches, winning 120 times, while overseeing 35 draws and 51 defeats.

Arteta led Arsenal to the FA Cup in 2020 and came close to ending the club’s 20-year title drought, only to be pipped to the line by a rampant Manchester City last season as they collective a historic treble.

The 41-year-old steered Arsenal to two eighth-place finishes in his first two seasons and has watched his side progress into genuine title challengers after finishing as runners-up last year.

A win against Liverpool on Saturday will hand Arsenal the Christmas No.1 spot and Keown praised Arteta for transforming the club’s fortunes as he looked back on his achievements so far.

“I think you’re a 9 or 10 when you win the Premier League, I think you’re a 7 or 8 when you’re on the way to winning it,” the former Arsenal defender told talkSPORT when asked to rate Arteta's first four seasons as manager.

“I think there have been a lot of difficult decisions for him to make. When he came in he had to assess the squad, work out who was with him, who wasn’t. The likes of [Mesut] Ozil was let go, the [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang situation.

“There were some big calls to make. He was also prepared to play the likes of [Gabriel] Martinelli and [Bukayo] Saka to bring through the youth team players.

“It's only Saka and Martinelli that were at the club before him so everyone is one of his players.

“I think there were significant signings with [Gabriel]