Former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has praised the board for standing by manager Mikel Arteta.

The Spaniard, who was under intense pressure after missing out on a Champions League spot last term, is now winning plenty of plaudits from fans and pundits alike. And after watching Arsenal extend their lead over Manchester City courtesy of a thumping 4-2 win over Brighton on Saturday, Fabregas has praised the remarkable work Arteta has done at the Emirates.

Cesc told The Times: "If we had listened to certain people at a time when Arsenal finished eighth and not doing that well, then maybe Mikel wouldn't be there. But they gave him the time that was needed to develop his own style, his own players coming in, making his own thing.

"Mikel was my team-mate and he helped me a lot when I was very young, he knows the game properly.

"They haven't won anything yet, but they are definitely going in the right way."