Ex-Arsenal star Dani Ceballos hits back at Piers Morgan over Mikel Arteta criticism

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Dani Ceballos has responded to Piers Morgan's public display of frustration with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta by calling for patience when it comes to the Spaniard's reign as Gunners boss.

The Real Madrid midfielder enjoyed two seasons in North London as a loan player and the bulk of that time saw Arteta as Ceballos' manager after Unai Emery's sacking in November of 2019. That period was somewhat of a rollercoaster in terms of the club's fortunes as Arsenal lifted the FA Cup during Ceballos' temporary spell, but also endured some of their worst league form post-World War Two.

The summer of 2020 saw Ceballos play a vital part in Arsenal's run to FA Cup glory in 2020, with the former Real Betis star notching a last-gap quarter final winner to keep the club in the competition. However, by the turn of the year, Ceballos was part of a Gunners side reeling from home defeats by the likes of Wolves, Leicester City, Aston Villa and Burnley.

He would eventually leave at the end of the 2020/21 campaign and return to the Santiago Bernabeu, but clearly still holds Arsenal and Arteta in particular close to his heart. It is for that reason he has leapt to his former manager's defence in the wake of criticism from Morgan on Twitter.

The former Good Morning Britain host has