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Mikel Arteta has expressed his condolences to Thomas Frank after Tottenham announced his dismissal on Wednesday morning. Speaking to journalists before Arsenal's Thursday evening fixture at Brentford, Arteta commented just hours after Spurs revealed they had parted company with Frank.

Frank's replacement will be thrown straight into the deep end with the North London Derby against Arsenal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium scheduled for later this month. Prior to that encounter, the Gunners must navigate three matches - Thursday's visit to Brentford, Frank's former club, followed by an FA Cup fourth round fixture against Wigan Athletic on Sunday and a rearranged Premier League clash with Wolves at Molineux next Wednesday.

Speaking ahead of the Brentford trip, Arteta shared his thoughts on Frank's Tottenham exit. During his pre-match press briefing, the Spanish manager remarked: "Well, always very sad news when you have a colleague that doesn't continue doing his job, because Thomas is an excellent coach, he's an extraordinary man as well, and he's proven that in the league.

"We know where we are. We know that our responsibility is beyond just performance. That sometimes results dictate what happens with us. We wish him all the very best for whatever he decides to do next."

Arteta has previously sung the praises of Frank ahead of Arsenal's clash with Brentford last April. When quizzed about his regard for the Bees manager, the Gunners chief replied: "A lot. More than respect, probably it's admiration. He's done it with a football club where everybody shares the vision, they have a very clear identity.

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"It's a club, a team that we can learn a lot from because the way they did it is very, very clever, in my opinion, and then the way the model has sustained and evolved as well is really well timed."

Frank reciprocated with complimentary remarks about Arsenal and Arteta last November, observing: "I think it's a good example of a club that sticks to the process. I know it's me in charge, but there are so many more people working, and sticking to what we believe in over a longer period. I think six years, it's very rare you get that long in football.

"I also think it's fair to say that it took probably three seasons for Arteta. So in the fourth season, that's where he competed, now he's in the seventh season. So he's really, really ready to compete in his fourth season. So he took over, then two full seasons, and then the fourth one. So I think that's how you should see it. And then we know the difference between having ultimate success to win something or not is like this, and you need margins. But the process is the most important thing."

Frank had been in the role for just under eight months before his dismissal. His record comprised 13 victories, 11 stalemates, and 14 defeats across 38 fixtures. Tuesday's latest setback against Newcastle United has left Tottenham languishing in 16th place in the Premier League standings. They currently sit five points clear of the drop zone.

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