The 37-year-old replaces Unai Emery, who was sacked in November, with Freddie Ljungberg taking charge on an interim basis.
Arsenal are currently occupying the tenth position on the Premier League table, and are enduring their worst start to a season since 1992.
The North Londoners’ win against West Ham United on 9th December was the only win out of their last 12 games in all competitions.
During the apotheosis of his playing career, Arteta joined the Gunners from Everton, where he eventually became the club’s captain.
The Spaniard played 150 matches for Arsenal from 2011 and 2016, winning two FA Cups, scoring 16 goals and 11 assists in the process.
The former Rangers and Real Sociedad midfielder became Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City after his retirement in 2016.
Right after his appointment, Arteta said it is a ‘huge honour’ to coach Arsenal and believes a club of such magnitude must challenge for ‘top trophies’.
“This is a huge honour. Arsenal is one of the biggest clubs in the world,” he told the club’s official site.
“We need to be competing for the top trophies in the game and that’s been made very clear to me in my discussions with Stan and Josh Kroenke, and the senior people from the club.”
“We all know there is a lot of work to be done to achieve that but I am confident we’ll do it.”
“I’m realistic enough to know it won’t happen overnight but the current squad has plenty of talent and there is a great pipeline of young players coming through from the academy.”
Speaking on behalf of the club, Josh Kroenke insists Arteta knows Arsenal’s expectation and they hope he can bring glory back to the Emirates stadium.
“We’re delighted to be bringing Mikel back to Arsenal,” he said
“He knows our expectations and those of our fans around the world are high and we are confident he can play a lead role in taking the club back to the levels we all demand.”
“I also want to thank Freddie Ljungberg for skillfully guiding us through the last three weeks.”
“He stepped up at short notice and has helped us through this difficult period with great professionalism.”
