Mikel Arteta says he’s proud of the mentality of his Arsenal squad praising in particular the collective manner in which they’ve dealt with Arsene Wenger’s rotation policy.
The club captain, who hasn’t featured in nearly six months after requiring surgery on his ankle, also touched on how the Gunners need to build on the momentum of the second half of the season to become true Premier League challengers.
Writing in his matchday notes ahead of Sunday’s final game of the season against West Bromwich Albion, the Spaniard noted:
“We [as a squad] have progressed a lot off the pitch. Understanding the function and the demands of the club is very important and I’m pleased with the way every single player in the squad – and this has happened to all of us – has reacted to being rotated at some point in the season.
“Everyone has responded by thinking that they need to improve, that they need to do more. There’s no disappointment – you don’t hear anyone talking badly about the manager’s decision.
“To have a whole squad of that calibre respond in the same way tells me a lot about the quality of the group.
“Now we want to build momentum and the best way to do that is by being consistent on the pitch and winning trophies. We are in a really strong position – I think we are getting better in all areas.”
While there’s nothing wrong with players wanting to play all of the time, Arteta’s words seem to suggest that harmony in the camp has been put ahead of personal satisfaction by most of the squad.
Perhaps it’s this stability that afforded Arsene Wenger the opportunity to maintain a stable starting XI for six consecutive games until Wednesday night – an unheard of phenomenon during the Frenchman’s tenure.
Elsewhere vice-captain Per Mertesacker has taken the time to praise the steadfast support of those who’ve followed the club at the Emirates and on the road.
“At times it was a difficult season for everyone, but the support throughout was absolutely fantastic and great and gave us a lift at some stages,” the BFG told Arsenal Player. “We are absolutely delighted with our fans and appreciate their support very much.
“We want to finish strong, with three points to seal third spot and to have a good feeling for the FA Cup final. We also want to give the fans a good feeling for next season.
“It would be great if we can achieve that, so we will do everything to give ourselves a good level of confidence.”
Beautiful
…hair.
*fazed
Really sorry to be a cunt but…isn’t it “fazed”?
Don’t let it phase you.
Hangover. Sorry. Corrected.
shouldn’t that say ‘Hungover. Sorry. Corrected’?
haha, just kidding.
3 points on Sunday please, no injuries, and a beautiful day out at Wembley next week. COYG!!!!
Hung over, or Hangover is actually fine.
And yes to destruction raining down on the west brom goal, please, thank you.
Arteta is talking like a manager already. I can definitely see him in a manager’s role in the near future.
Maybe.. But can he zip a coat up on a clod night in Stoke?
typo or freudian slip?
Now get ur coat.
I really hope he returns to Arsenal as a scout or in some coaching capacity. Would love to see Wenger as a Sporting Director when he calls it time. And having some of the ex-players running the club like how Bayern does it. Then we’ll have some Arsenal DNA.
We have an “Arteta”? We have an article about an “Arteta”?
More than happy if we just stumble a win against the former leader of orcs and save clicking into gear for the cup final.
ment: I was watching a 10 minute compilation of arteta and he’s been vital. the incoming season is a chance for wilshire and the ox to force wenger into never ending headaches of team selection. If it were up to me ox all day on the wing. he’d started making runs in behind the defence too. I think he’s our most explosive player but just lacks goals and that’s where alexis stands up plus bagging set pieces. Why doesn’t the ox hit long range set pieces. Just thump it like vermaleen…. or like Poldi the joker if ox can add… Read more »
Arsene Wenger on giroud. “Nobody can win you the Premier League title alone. Olivier Giroud is part of the squad and he has done extremely well. He’s scored 14 goals in the Premier League in 20 games. He works very hard for the team. Alone, of course he cannot win it.”
there s definitely another forward coming in this summer guys.
A top top quality player !
I wish he’s implying we’re in for someone else, but I think he’s referring to the collective team rather than a new signing.
Think what he meant was that no one player can win you the title alone, it is the team that wins you the league. I’m not sure he’s implying that he’ll sign a striker.
He is implying, even Henry did not win alone.
maybe…….. but who would you play as CR if giroud was injured or needed a break ? welbeck ? walcott ?
we all saw what happened when giroud was out during the first half of the season.
And it cost us the title.
CF*
Let’s go gays! Hello cuddly.
None of that means anything it’s just words! It’s like how many times we heard that lessons have been learnt after being spanked. They weren’t. Monaco doesn’t happen if that’s the case.
If we’re to push on next season Arteta goes and schnederlin comes in.a top striker and a top quality gk
What rotation?
Lack of rotation has. We need to work on rotation. It was perfectly understandable that Wenger had found the winning formula with the squad and did not want to tinker with it. The familiarity in itself was what the squad needed and as much as we praise some of the forward partnerships that were blossoming, It was the return of Meterscielny which has largely been played down that really added stability to the back line. We conceded most goals from set pieces and crosses from wide areas prior in first half of season not because Per was suffering from a… Read more »
3 players needed along the spine in order to challenge for the title. Wenger should sell players to be able to do that. Arteta, Poldi, Campbell, Diaby etc needs to go.
Need top class striker top holding midfield goalkeeper
That’s a pretty specialised position
That right wing will soon be overloaded. Theo, Ox, Campbell, Serge, Wellington and Bellerin* seem all suited for the role. Not forgetting Rozzay and Rambo out of position.
*I think Bellerin will end up back in attack at some point.
I don’t, he’s perfectly suited for full back with his pace and technique working well on the overlap; if he were playing on the wing for us, that would be neutered somewhat.