Arsenal hammered in behind closed doors friendly by Championship outfit as former star praises Mikel Arteta

With the international break underway and England due to take on Brazil on Saturday, let's take a step back and see what is happening around Arsenal at the moment.

Recently, the Gunners have been hammered by a score of 4-0 in a behind closed doors friendly, as a former player has praised the impact of Mikel Arteta since he joined the club as a manager back in 2019.

Arsenal hammered 4-0 by QPR in behind closed doors friendly

To keep players who are not on international duty match fit, the Gunners recently took on QPR in a behind closed doors friendly - the Gunners went on to lose 4-0 to their London rivals.

Only two senior team players featured for Arsenal - Takehiro Tomiyasu and Thomas Partey. The rest of the XI consisted of youth players - as such, a defeat of this nature is not so concerning when the wider context is taken into account.

Cesc Fabregas praises Mikel Arteta in interview

Former Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas has lavished praise on Mikel Arteta, crediting him with turning the club's fortunes around. He said that his fellow countryman has raised the 'standards' at the Emirates Stadium and has banished the 'toxicity' that surrounded the club.

In an interview featured on BBC Sport, Fabregas said: "Arsenal was turning into a big mess, I think there was too many people talking, there was a lot [toxicity] within the club and around the club. He came in with an idea, a methodology and a style of play and he put it together. He had the bravery, even though he is a young coach, to put it all together and say 'right, these are the standards and this is what I want to do.'

"He talks about intentions, about character, about standards in press conferences. He [plays] hard-working, young players who want to play for the badge and who want to make the club grow. This is what I think he changed. He's done really well."