It has not always been plain sailing for Mikel Arteta in the Arsenal dugout – far from it.
The Spaniard was clinging onto his job one-and-a-half years ago as the Gunners languished in 15th at Christmas following a disastrous first half of his maiden full Premier League campaign. Things did not start much better last season, either, as Arteta’s side failed to win any of their first three games to raise further questions of whether the Emirates hot seat was too much, too soon for the 40-year-old.
However, Arteta successfully negotiated the tricky spells of his fledgling managerial career to lead Arsenal to an eighth-place finish in the 2020/21 term and fifth last season. There are clear signs of progress for the Gunners, even if it was painful to see Tottenham clinch the final Champions League spot in May.
Crucially, Arteta is receiving the financial backing he needs to right the wrongs of a few months ago as, for the second summer in a row, the Kroenkes are opening their pockets during the transfer window. Gabriel Jesus is this year’s most eye-catching arrival and hit the ground running in pre-season, scoring a hat-trick against Sevilla on his home debut for his new club.
It is a move which reunited the Brazilian with his former assistant manager at Manchester City, and it is not hard to see the influence of Pep Guardiola on Arteta’s coaching philosophy. The City boss, formerly in charge at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, is one of the game’s great innovators, renowned for popularising the false-nine role and demanding brutal intensity in training and match scenarios.
(
Getty Images)
Are you pleased with the progress Arsenal are making under Mikel Arteta? Have your say in the comments!
Following in the footsteps of his great compatriot, Arteta has also shown a visionary – and ruthless – streak during his two-and-a-half years in the Arsenal dugout. He has switched between back-three and back-four systems while brutally shipping out players who have not bought into his project or have failed to toe the line.
Perhaps most interesting are some of the unique methods Arteta has brought to training. Earlier this year, Arsenal players were pelted with tennis balls during a drill as the Gunners enjoyed a warm-weather training camp in Dubai. Now, eyebrow-raising footage has emerged of a session which took place last November.
(
Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arteta had his players train ahead of their trip to Liverpool with You’ll Never Walk Alone blaring out from pitchside speakers in an effort to replicate the formidable Anfield atmosphere. It was an unusual strategy and, ultimately, not one which paid off, with the Gunners falling to a 4-0 defeat on Merseyside.
However, the North Londoners clearly learned from their experience and, two months later in the EFL Cup, held Liverpool to a 0-0 draw at Anfield despite playing the vast majority of the semi-final first leg with 10 men following Granit Xhaka’s red card.
Like his youthful squad, Arteta is a work in progress but he remains the ideal candidate to take Arsenal forward in his third full season in charge, vindicating the faith club chiefs have shown in him to date.
Read More
Read More
