Granit Xhaka has described Gunners boss Mikel Arteta as “very special” and believes the Spaniard has proved the doubters wrong after he was tipped to be sacked following a disastrous start to last season.
Arsenal lost their first three matches without scoring a goal, having been beaten by Brentford, Chelsea and Manchester City. They conceded nine times in the process and Arteta’s job was firmly on the line after he also failed to qualify for Europe in the 2020/21 campaign.
However, the Gunners managed to squeeze past Norwich in the fourth game of the season and went on a spirited run, which involved six wins and two draws in eight matches. Arteta’s side managed to force their way into the mix for a Champions League place but missed out to north London rivals on the final day of last term.
There were fears that the Gunners could collapse after suffering that massive blow, but they have gone from strength to strength since the start of the campaign. Arsenal have dropped just seven points from 19 games and sit at the top of the division ahead of Manchester City.
“Last season, we lost the first three games of the season,” he told 20 Min. “Some people were already at the end of their patience. But now you see what can happen when you give a coach time. After all, this is his first-ever stint as head coach. He is something very special.
“I’ve had many coaches in my career, but never one like Arteta. He seems like he is focused only on football 24 hours a day. He always has a plan A, B – and maybe even a plan Z. But he’s not only top tactically, but he’s also top as a person.”
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Xhaka is not the only person to praise Arteta in recent weeks after he guided Arsenal to back-to-back Premier League victories over Tottenham and Manchester United. Cesc Fabregas was very complimentary of his former teammate as they came from behind to beat the Red Devils at the Emirates Stadium.
“He has done a fantastic job,” the former midfielder began. “We saw it in the documentary (Netflix’s All or Nothing) how he pushes players, how he understands players.
“I was lucky enough to be at the training ground recently. Everything has changed so much, it feels like the manager of the training ground is 95 per cent Mikel who has changed the whole thing.
“The perception of the club has changed. There are positive messages around the training ground, much bigger facilities, better equipment, the pitches, you name it.
“At the entrance, they have a symbol of an empty Premier League. He wants to show the message, we need to put it in there. Every day the players see the Premier League, but just the symbol, like an inspiration every day. He has changed the mentality of the club.”
