Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has revealed how regular conversations with former club manager Arsene Wenger have kept him "calm" throughout the season.
Arteta is preparing to lead his side into Saturday's FA Cup final against Chelsea and although the pair have not been in contact this week, the 38-year-old has spoken to Wenger on a regular basis since replacing Unai Emery last December.
- Stream FC Daily on ESPN+
- FA Cup final (stream LIVE on ESPN+ at 12:30 p.m. ET in the U.S.)
- Insider Notebook: Solskjaer wants Sancho deal done ASAP
Wenger left the club in the summer of 2018 after almost 22 years in charge, including five seasons managing Arteta as a player before his retirement in 2016.
LIVE ON ESPN+ (SELECTED GAMES)
Upcoming games live on ESPN+ (US Only):
THURSDAY, JULY 30
• Fulham v Cardiff (2.40 p.m. ET)
FRIDAY, JULY 31
• Western Sydney v Wellington (5.25 a.m. ET)
SATURDAY, AUG. 1
• Melbourne C v Sydney (2.55 a.m. ET)
• Brescia v Sampdoria (11.50 a.m. ET)
• Arsenal v Chelsea (12.20 p.m. ET)
• Juventus v AS Roma (2.30 p.m. ET)
• AC Milan v Cagliari (2.35 p.m. ET)
• Napoli v Lazio (2.35 p.m. ET)
The Frenchman won the FA Cup a record seven times as manager and when asked if he'd reached out to Wenger in the past few days, Arteta said: "No I haven't been in touch with him [this week].
"I have been in touch a few times in the last few months with him, but not before the final.
"It is a private conversation. It is great to have him on board, he gives you great advice and just talking to him, he has such knowledge, he is such an intelligent person, just knowing he is there that just knowing he is there and he is going to be supporting us and supporting me, I feel calmer.
"I think in the football world, you can talk about anything with him. You just have to learn, get the book out and take some notes."
Arsenal finished 10 points behind Chelsea in the Premier League and lost to the Blues in last season's Europa League final.
Chelsea have already secured Champions League qualification with a fourth-placed finish in the league but pressure is mounting on Arsenal given they must win at Wembley or face a season without any European competition.
That prospect will make it harder to attract new players and retain their star names, including Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has a year remaining on his contract.
Earlier this month, sources told ESPN that Aubameyang is keen to stay but has requested a three-year deal worth up to £250,000-a-week.
Talks are expected to continue after Saturday's final and Arteta expressed his belief it will not be the striker's last game for the club, despite Arsenal executives previously insisting players with 12 months left who refuse to sign extensions would be sold.
"No, I don't have those thoughts [it will be Aubameyang's final game]," Arteta added. "It's a package at the end. You need to have a lot of ingredients on the table to persuade a player of his level to be at this football club.
"Don't forget he still has a contract here with us, we want to keep him and do it more long-term. But at the moment he is with us and I think he should be really proud of where he is as well.
"I think that has a strong link with everything that you want to experience as a player. The fact that winning a trophy helps to really believe and feel -- wow, I want more of those moments as well. If you are wearing the armband and you are able to lift that cup, it is such a moment and this is going to help for sure."
Source: espn.co.uk