Arsenal great Tony Adams says former teammate Steve Bould is convinced Mikel Arteta is the real deal.

Bould is now U23 coach at Arsenal as Arteta moves towards completing his first year as manager.

"He [Arteta] has got fantastic ability to work with this team," Adams told Stadium Astro.

"He puts hours into the training pitch.

"He's his own man - if [Mesut] Ozil's not in his thinking, he's out, it's as simple as that.

"I can't speak highly enough of the guy. The words coming out [of the club], when I talk to my mate Steve Bould who's still in the club taking the Under-23s at the moment - he said to me, 'This guy has got it all, he's the governor'.

"He's the best he's seen in a long time. He really does understand the game, he expresses himself; he's very confident."