I’m not a replacement for FÃ bregas or Nasri, says Arteta
Midfielder does not want to be seen as a replacement for Cesc FÃ bregas or Samir Nasri at The Emirates
Arsenal new-boy Mikel Arteta has told Gunners fans not to think of him as a direct replacement for either Cesc FÃ bregas or Samir Nasri.
The 29-year-old midfielder, who completed his move to north London from Everton on transfer deadline day for a fee of around £10m, is widely expected to fill the creative void left by the exits of FÃ bregas and Nasri.
But the former Rangers playmaker does not want to be percieved as a replacement for either player at The Emirates.
“I don’t want to use the word ‘replacement’,” Arteta told Arsenal Player. “They [FÃ bregas and Nasri] were two top players for the club.
“They did really, really well in the last few years and we’ve now got some new players coming in to try to make the same impact. I am sure we will.
“I don’t want fans expecting [me] to be the same because every player is different. We need some time to adapt as well but I’m sure we will give everything we can to make this team better.”
Arteta joined The Gunners just days after their humiliating 8-2 defeat by Manchester United at Old Trafford – a result which leaves the Londoners with one point from their first three games.
But the midfielder, who could make his Gunners debut against Swansea at The Emirates on Saturday, is confident Arsène Wenger’s men can turn around their poor start.
“It is not the best of starts obviously,” he continued. “Looking at the other teams, at Manchester United and City, both have nine points already but it is early stages.
“The season is very long with the Premier League, Carling Cup, Champions League and FA Cup. There is still a lot of work to do, but we want to start winning on Saturday and get that right. From then hopefully everything is going to be more positive.
“This club has to be there with them fighting until the very end, that is for sure. Nobody can be happy saying they are too good or have spent more money.
“We can fight, and I do not think that is the right mentality. We have unbelievable talent here and if we can use it the right way I am sure we can fight with them.”
