Bruce parted company with Newcastle United on Wednesday after two-and-a-half years in charge following the club’s recent takeover by Saudi-Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
Despite operating on a shoestring budget, Bruce led the Magpies to 13th and 12th place finishes in his two full seasons in charge but his relationship with the club’s fans always remained on the edge.
In his parting message after his dismissal, Bruce detailed the abuse he has received while in charge of the Tyneside club and revealed he could quit management altogether.
"I was really sad after reading that statement from Steve," Arteta said during a press conference on Thursday.
"You’re talking about somebody who has been in the game over 40 years as a player and manager, that has managed over 1,000 games and he is telling you, with that experience, with that level of expertise, that he struggles with that kind of situation.
"So I think we have to reflect how we can’t take for granted and accept certain things because they are how they are. We are here as well to improve them and change them like we do with any rules, with anything that we want to improve for our supporters, fans, stadiums, facilities, broadcast.
"Why don’t we have an open table to discuss how we can do that, because I think we have to think about that. One of the most experienced managers in English history is telling you that. You can’t just ignore it. For me, it is a very serious statement and it is something that has to change. It has to start to change."
Arteta added: "To have a strong opinion and be so convinced [about] what you see and how you judge people, you don’t have to study."
"You don’t even have to be able to play football.
"You can just give a strong opinion and that’s it. You talk about chemistry, you don’t do that. You talk about law, a law case, you don’t have that opinion because you have to study and then you don’t say anything.
"But you can say anything about football and it is good because it creates debate, opinion, but when you cross that line it becomes really difficult.
"It’s a man, it’s a family, his loved ones, the environment and I think we have to reflect. I was really impressed with how he explained openly how he felt, and I didn’t like it."
