Mikel Arteta reveals how Arsenal players reacted to Thomas Tuchel England appointment

Thomas Tuchel was appointed as England head coach this week and Mikel Arteta has explained how the German can help his Arsenal players

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has described Thomas Tuchel as one of the best coaches in the world after he was appointed England head coach.

The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager will officially start his role with the Three Lions on January 1, with the 51-year-old signing an 18-month contract through to the 2026 World Cup finals. Arsenal have a number of England internationals in the squad, including Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Raheem Sterling and Ben White, and Arteta revealed how they reacted to Tuchel's appointment.

Speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference ahead of the clash at Bournemouth, Arteta said: "They’re gonna learn a lot. He’s one of the best coaches in the world in my opinion, the way his teams are set up. It’s very exciting times. I spoke to a few of the players and they had a smile on their faces straight away. That’s a good sign."

Arteta was later asked if Sterling was one of the players who was happy about Tuchel's appointment. "I don't know if Raheem was in there," Arteta said. Asked if White had a specific facial expression, Arteta added: "You didn't ask me about Bukayo or Declan, we have to assume that those two were happy then?"

Reporters also probed Arteta on Sterling and whether Tuchel's appointment could lead to a recall for the winger. "If that is what he decides he wants," the former Man City assistant said. "He is in a really good moment right now, in the last training sessions he was exceptional. Raheem at his best can compete with any player for sure."

A lot has been made of Tuchel not being English but Arteta believes that should not be a problem. "I understand the opinions and the feelings," the Spaniard said.

"That’s the responsibility for the FA to say the first filter is only English managers or the filters are any manager from any country and we select the best for the moment that we’re in right now. I understand that it can feel sad for some people not to have an English manager. History tells you how important this could be as well.

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"I think I would take a lot of pride as well at how many people would do anything to be the England manager. That’s related to how we’re treated in this country as foreigners, the passion, the respect, the history and the way that things are done in this country. I can say personally that when you are not from here. I think there are very few countries that could say that."

So, would Arteta be open to managing England at some point in his career? "I’ll tell you right now, the feeling I have being here for 22 years," the Arsenal boss said. "I have that feeling towards it because I always feel respected, welcomed and inspired by this country and the history of football and how you get treated daily. I think that’s something you should be really proud of."

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