Sunday will mark the official one year anniversary of Mikel Arteta’s appointment as Arsenal boss.
Whatever you think about our current form, it’s fair to say an awful lot has happened in a short period of time for any manager to deal with, let alone a rookie in his first job.
There have been ups and downs along the way, and ahead of our trip to Goodison Park tomorrow evening, the Spaniard was asked to reflect on his first 12 months in charge of the Gunners.
Citing the FA Cup and Community Shield wins as big positives, he feels that the most disappointing thing was the inability to share those successes with fans who have been more or less locked out of football stadiums since March due to Covid-19, as well as the support they could have given during a tough period.
“I think it has been one of the most challenging years in the club’s history for many, many different reasons,” he said.
“I think we have made a lot of progress and implanted a lot of positive things that have worked really well. We have gone through structural changes right across the club that has obviously shaken the club, big time.
“I would say the highlights of the year is the two trophies that we have won together, and the most disappointing thing is that we haven’t had our fans with us to take us through this difficult moment.
I think it could have been a really, really positive year but the recent form in the Premier League is taking the gloss off what we have done in the calendar year.
“But we have to accept that our Premier League form in recent weeks is not good enough for this football club.”
Hopefully that will change against Everton tomorrow, but the 1-1 draw against Southampton doesn’t stack up against their recent form, having beaten both Chelsea and Leicester in the last week.
We’re overdue a win though, and maybe a bit of luck along the way, so fingers crossed we can end Arteta’s first year in charge with three points against his old club.
Please turn that corner and give us something to be happy about at last. Fingers crossed though Everton will be tough.
Another defeat is coming at Everton.
Aren’t you a little ray of sunshine?
He wants to stick to his Arteta out rant. Some people are like that.
Can you see into the future because if you can I desperately need the winning lottery tickets for either tonight’s Euromillions or tomorrow’s Lotto…let me know and I’ll send you my email address!
stop giving players retirement parachute contracts
3-5-2, defensively solid and catch them on the break – with clever movement and some spontaneity in the final third. A 1-0 win. You heard it here first.
That was our blueprint at the end of last season.
…and it worked.
… no doubt.
This picture has really cheered me up. I really believe its important to remember that Arteta Won us a trophy. The transfer window in January is going to be big one for us. Do you think we will bring in a creative midfielder?
A new creative midfielder may well take some time to gel – and the 3-4-3 doesn’t really give us the opportunity to play one (unless we sacrifice a defensive or holding midfielder). If we go to a 4-3-3 against lower quality opposition, I’d like to see ESR given a chance. Or even AMN in midfield and push Danny Onions further forward.
I don’t know if Arteta will be able to bring the glory days back to Arsenal, but there is no doubt that he brought some much needed shape to the side and was able to beat Liverpool, ManC and Chelsea and win two trophies. I also know that many of the players at his disposal aren’t up to scratch and I doubt anyone else can get more out of them. Allegri is the only attractive alternative but I think Arteta should be given more time and support.
Still most of them can do much better, and he is just not making them play like a team or to their full potential. That is on him. It’s easy to just blame the players though some of them really are bums. Also, he chose to play the ones who we know will not deliver(X primarily) & extended/gave contracts to those who don’t care and are subpar (luiz and willian) and chose to keep both laca and auba while one should have been sold. Saliba case, torreira (should’ve believe in him while selling X for basically anything), guendouzi, ozil… Ozil… Read more »
Guillam Balogun and another non event article on BBC today. “Needs time”…been saying that since his appointment. will be saying that when in championship. We are at a critical moment with January looming. Its razor edge at the moment. Arteta needs a win result next game (tomorrow) There is no time. Another loss and we will be staring at very few games left for a new incumbent to get to grips very quickly andhave an idea what he needs to reconstruct before opportunities open in Jan. And certainly edu is another issue but if I were him, I’d be wary… Read more »
As for Sat, on a positive side of things, we have been creating better chances even if in small flurries here and there. Last match extremely worrying bc you can feel the fear in the squad which was something Walcott alluded to. You always want to establish Psychological advantage over your opponent and impose doubt in their game. We seem instead to be suffering from it with continued poor results accumulative. I think what we need is to establish as regular a playing squad as possible given injuries/suspensions. Arteta is right to rotate but I feel he has been rotating… Read more »
Also with playing out from back, if Leno can’t find a throw out quick (which he should), I suggest if the backline drop to draw out the opponents, that Saka and Ceballos stay wide and higher up the centreline to be able to receive the ball from a quick punt by the keeper. Laca ready in the middle to play too immediately. Our players on the ball need options worked out before hand. Its that simple. That Arteta has not been able to work this out is on him not the players. He needs to communicate and find a way… Read more »