'I'm a believer now' - Joe Cole backs Mikel Arteta to maintain Arsenal's winning form in Premier League and Europe

Joe Cole believes that Arsenal’s improvements under Mikel Arteta are here to stay and declared himself «a believer». In the last 15 years of Arsene Wenger’s tenure, plus Unai Emery’s spell and the second half of last season, Arsenal struggled to perform consistently and were often seen as brittle. Ad Now, though, Arsenal top the Premier League and look a changed side following the summer arrival of Gabriel Jesus and others.

Europa LeagueHow to watch Bodo/Glimt v Arsenal in the Europa LeagueYESTERDAY AT 11:47 Former Chelsea and Liverpool winger Cole told BT Sport that he had seen enough to be convinced that there was a fundamental change in the club’s approach under the Spaniard this term. He said: “I’m a believer now. We’ve seen them trip up themselves so many times over 10 years, you always want to have another look and another look, but the process Mikel Arteta is talking about for the last 12-18 months is starting to bear fruition [sic].

“The young players, the ones coming in, are delivering it. It looks like a well-oiled machine. Exciting times for Arsenal fans.” Bodo/Glimt v Arsenal — LIVE Ballon d'Or predictions: Our winners revealed — and who makes the podium Barcelona face selling 'important players' if Champions League gamble backfires Cole explained that while there was plenty of change from one game in the Premier League to the next in the Europa League, Arteta maintains momentum by keeping some players in to bridge the two sides.

“We talk about continuity under Arteta,” he added. “He’s always, of the big hitters, using two, three or four in European games, bringing in lads around him. To continue that performance.” Former Arsenal central defender Martin Keown agreed, saying that Arteta’s approach is one that