Arsenal: Mikel Arteta reacts to Tottenham sacking 'excellent coach' Thomas Frank

Spurs boss was sacked on Wednesday morning after midweek defeat

Old rivals: Thomas Frank and Mikel Arteta

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Mikel Arteta has hailed Thomas Frank as “an extraordinary man” following his sacking by Tottenham on Wednesday.

Frank oversaw what proved to be his final game in charge - a 2-1 defeat by Newcastle - on Tuesday, leaving Spurs 16th in the Premier League and five points off the relegation zone.

The former Brentford boss has paid the price for eight underwhelming months in charge, which has seen Spurs win just two of their previous 17 Premier League games.

Spurs have not won a league game since the turn of the year, with their most recent top-flight victory coming against Crystal Palace on December 28.

Had Frank continued at the helm, his next fixture would have been against Arteta’s Arsenal in the north London derby in 11 days’ time.

"Obviously, very sad news when you have a colleague that doesn't continue doing his job,” Arteta replied when asked for his reaction to Frank’s sacking.

“Thomas is an excellent coach and an extraordinary man as well. Our responsibility is beyond just performance, sometimes results dictate what happens with us.

"What I know as a coach, how he prepares his teams, as well as [at] Brentford , and the way [Spurs] looked in pre-season against us - they were very impressive."

Arteta’s Arsenal take on Brentford on Thursday as they look to maintain their Premier League title lead.

The Gunners remain six points clear of Manchester City , although Pep Guardiola’s men could halve that to three if they beat Fulham on Wednesday .