Mikel Arteta says "thank you" to Steven Gerrard after taking Aston Villa job

Mikel Arteta has thanked new Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard for guiding Rangers to the Scottish Premiership title last season.

The Arsenal boss played 68 games in all competitions for the Glasgow club between 2002 and 2004, winning two major trophies.

Gerrard left Ibrox last week after three-and-a-half years in charge to take the vacant managerial position at Villa Park.

The Liverpool legend leaves Rangers four points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership, with Villa sitting 16th in the table.

Gerrard's first Premier League game in charge of the Birmingham side is at home to high-flying Brighton on Saturday.

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Speaking at his Friday press conference, Arteta was asked to share his thoughts on the appointment due to his Rangers links.

"Well it obviously was a surprise," said the Spaniard. "First of all as a Rangers fan I must say thank you so much to Stevie and the coaching staff for what they did for the club.

"They turned the club around in such a difficult moment and to manage to win the league in the way they did it was a big boost."

Arteta also wished Gerrard's successor Giovanni van Bronckhorst well at Ibrox, adding: "Football is like that, people want to move, people have other expectations.

"And now I just wish the best to Giovanni and the club and see what happens."

Although Arteta is happy to see Gerrard take the next step in his managerial career, others have been critical of his decision to leave Rangers - including Richard Keys.

"Welcome back Steven. Although I wish you'd taken a bit more care about the manner in which you accepted the Villa job," claimed the presenter.

"I said this on Twitter last week - and I stand by it. Leaving Rangers like a thief in the night was poor. Everybody at Ibrox deserved better."

Despite the criticism, Gerrard has defended his decision to swap Glasgow for Birmingham. "It was a difficult decision and I certainly left with a heavy heart," he said.

"I built up some fantastic relationships up at Rangers. It's a club that I've got immense respect for.

"I was given a remit three-and-a-half years ago up at Rangers and went on a journey and we completed that remit.

"Approximately 10 days ago, the opportunity came to join another iconic club... it was an opportunity I couldn't let pass me by."

As Gerrard prepares his squad to face Brighton, Arteta is getting his players ready to face the Englishman's former club Liverpool.

Arsenal travel to Anfield on Saturday, aiming to leapfrog their opponents into the top four and continue their ten-game unbeaten run.

"It is always a test, it is a fascinating stadium to play football in," added Arteta. "You have to be at your best and raise the level to your maximum standards, emotionally, physically, tactically, because if you don't you will be exposed.

"Going to Anfield is always a test, but if you are able to do that, there are not many grounds as good as there to feel that you are a proper footballer."