Mikel Arteta has again made it clear that he will demand everything from his players, staff and beyond to get Arsenal back to where we need to be.
Not shirking the size of the job, he has once more spoken about certain things not being up for negotiation, displaying the ruthlessness he says is necessary for a job like this.
He has also insisted that he wants to give fans something to believe in again, as he tries to steady a ship which, if not quite sinking, is powering steadily towards an iceberg.
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of today’s game against Chelsea, the 37 year old said, “It’s going to be a long process, a lot of things have to be done right. We need to make a lot of good decisions.
“It’s about clarity. You need a direction, you need a vision, and you need action. And everybody on board has to believe that direction is going to make us successful.
“If people are starting to doubt the process, because of one result, two results, or we made a little mistake here, you have to be ruthless. Believe it, and go, put your foot on the gas and go and go and go.
“People have to understand that there is this way, and no other way. There are some things non-negotiable. That is the organisation and structure. Within that organisation you have freedom.
“But if somebody doesn’t know how to live within these parameters, at this level, it won’t work.
“What I have seen is that the players are on board, are willing to be helped, are willing to make sacrifices, and are willing to follow us. They are showing me every time, they want more, want more, and that’s a very good signal.”
As for what he wants in the long-term, a desire to see glory days return, and to give the supporters a team they can get behind.
“This club deserves nothing else but excellence,” he said. It deserves the best every single day.
“Everyone who jumps through that door needs to realise that is what we’re going to be requiring. They have to feel there is a sense of what we are trying to achieve.
“If the fans can see an identity close to what they are used to seeing with Arsenal, they will be on board.”
Check out today’s Arseblog match preview
Chelsea preview: Achieve something tangible to boost the intangibles
The guy means business! Wow, really up for today’s game. Chelski haven’t enjoyed much recently and I hope we pile up their missery this evening. Come on the Arsenal!!
No wonder he aced the interview process (twice). He is definitely talking the right stuff! Very encouraging.
Wow!, this guy certainly knows how to connect with fans with his vision and how he intends to get there?….for me, this is just the beginning of a new dawn and so, regardless of what the result is today, he has my unflinching support
There are 3 types of player in all clubs. The homegrowns, the purchased who become club players and the purchased who remain mercenaries. When we sit over a couple of beers and pick your all time best Arsenal team, a mercenary is never even mentioned. Alan Ball, a world cup winner is never mentioned for example. Ray Parlour, Tony Adams and Pat Rice always on the list. Frank McLintock, Lee Dixon, Nigel Winterburn and Mr Bergkamp (all purchased in) are always mentioned. It obvious why homegrowns are mentioned; he’s one of our own… but the purchased who become loyal, devoted… Read more »
Plenty of English “mercanaries” as well. Best example is Ca$hley, could throw the Ox in too. Same regards Alan Smith and even moreso Sol Campbell, came in from elsewhere and Sol from the enemy. Same regards Per Mertesacker might be one of the most loyal Arsenal club men around – a non-home grown German. Let’s just give the nationalism a rest eh? Are you going to tell us English players don’t dive either? English people aren’t better than anyone else. Same as the rest of the world. Same great people from England and some not so great. EPL is a… Read more »
Ox took a pay cut to join Liverpool to be fair with him.
Love this guy more and more. I’m sold. Again!
How in the name of Bergkamp did this guy not get the job at the first time of asking????
Everything that comes out of his mouth is spot on. We need to have patience and let Arteta put his plans into play. It’s very very clear that we are in safe hands.
Agree with your whole comment, but I have to say I upvoted it just after reading the first 6 words. Brilliant.
According to the athletic, it was due to a lack of back room staff
He’s talking the talk, and I do hope he acts ruthless, like Arsene never was.
All I want for Arsenal is to go back to the glory days and I wish nothing but the best for all the managers (head coaches of our club), especially if he was a club legend. felt so sorry for Freddie and what he was put through.
COYG !