Arsene Wenger has encouraged Mikel Arteta to 'surround himself with the right people' at Arsenal.

After extensive discussions between Arteta and the Gunners hierarchy, the Spaniard is expected to be named as the successor to Unai Emery within the next 24 hours.

While former boss Wenger has insisted that Arteta must accept any doubts about his suitability for the role, the Frenchman feels that the 37-year-old has a bright future.

Wenger is quoted by The AP as saying: "Mikel Arteta has certainly a great future, he has learned a lot in his first experience, in his first position as an assistant coach.

"He will have to deal with the fact he has no experience at that level, and he will have to get surrounded well and have a good environment at the club. Arsenal is going through a very difficult period. I just suffer like every other supporter."

Should his appointment be confirmed, Arteta will be in the dugout for Saturday's Premier League encounter at Everton, another one of his former teams.