Arteta hails fans, players after winning 2nd ‘Manager of the Month’ award

Arsenal’s coach, Mikel Arteta, has been named the Premier League Manager of the Month for March.

The boss has scooped his second award of the season, after enjoying a perfect September, and takes the honour this time after three wins and a defeat last month.

• Dortmund striker Haaland keeps Real Madrid, Barcelona, Man City waiting
• Bandits abduct 22 villagers on Abuja-Kaduna highway 24 hours after IGP’s visit

After being presented with the trophy at Arsenal’s London Colney training ground, Arteta was quick to acknowledge the contribution of others, especially the Arsenal fans.

“Obviously it gives me a sense of pride because I know how difficult it is to do it in this league,” he said.

“But we have done that not only with coaching staff, but all the staff that are here at Colney.

“Obviously the players too have to perform and win football matches in order to be recognised for that.

“And then especially to our supporters. For the way they have transformed the team, they deserve a lot of credit.

“My gratitude goes to everybody who helps in their way, and in the best possible way to try to win football matches, which is the reason why we are here.”

It is the 17th time in Premier League history that an Arsenal boss has won the honour, and it is the first time the club has won the award twice in the same campaign since the 2007/08 season.

Arsenal are on the road Monday as they trade tackles with Crystal Palace, hoping for a win that will return them to fourth place in the table after being pushed down by Tottenham on Sunday.

The two London sides are on the same points (54) but Spur sit on the last Champions League spot because of their superior goal difference (+15) against Arsenal’s +13.