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Mikel Arteta's demands have helped Arsenal rediscover their DNA according to former Gunner Robert Pires.

The Spaniard is into his second full season at the helm in north London and has the club on the cusp of a return to the Champions League.

Arsenal have overcome a slow start, which saw them lose their opening three games of the season, to put themselves in pole position for the top four.

Arteta's has by no means enjoyed a linear rise in the capital, facing his own struggles during his first full season as the club finished eighth.

However, the former Manchester City No 2 has remained loyal to his beliefs and made difficult decisions in pursuit of improvement.

Players have come and gone and Arsenal are beginning to look like a settled outfit, with Arteta's demanding nature no doubt strengthened from his education under Pep Guardiola.

Pires told Goal : “Of course I still follow Arsenal, I watch all the games and I am in contact with the sporting director Edu and Mikel and many other former players.

“I think he is doing a great job. Arsenal have found their DNA based on a fast and attacking game. He asks a lot of his players and is very demanding starting from the training sessions.”

Arteta took over from Unai Emery back in