If someone is heading the “sack-race” of the Premier League this season it must be Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta Amatriain. The man who has been the manager since 2019. He has promised a “process” and that this is a “transition”. However, nothing is looking stellar or neither promising.
What is striking as an outsider. The “invisibles” or one-pass playing Arsenal is long gone. The attacking and team with a clear playing style has gone. The Emirates Stadium isn’t a frightful stadium to visit. Neither are they are dangerous competitor in the away matches. It is like the team is lacking both confidence and a means to an end.
Yes, Arteta is a good figurehead. He knows how to be at interviews and be in the public. Nevertheless, what is served on the pitch is a disgrace. It isn’t any will or hunger to strike back. Neither, is there a clear philosophy. Even long-balls on a huge striker is more understandable than what Arsenal under Arteta is. That says a lot. Mourinho’s “Parking the Bus” is more effective and understandable, than whatever Arsenal is doing at this current time.
Well, it is only three matches and the players need more time. To that I say… his been there since 2019 and the few sailors who came in this window should see and reflect on what the others are doing. The Arteta as a manager and his team should have instilled and implemented the vision to all the other players. Alas, that is not visible to us seeing them.
Arsenal was already falling flat and becoming less interesting in the final years of Wenger. While at least delivered cup wins and a favourable 4 place to get into the Champions League. This was done by recruiting well and finding players fitting to the style of play Wenger sought after. However, now they are searching for the future, but nobody knows what that looks like. Neither does it seems the current recruiters knows either.
The zero points after three matches is just the culmination of it. What is also tragic is the manner which they have played. Not scoring goals, not even hitting the goal inside the box or being on the counter-attack. There are so many flaws and it doesn’t look any promising.
Arteta is the captain of a sinking ship and there seems no way to save it. He can seemingly throw the whole squad into the mix and still not get viable results. There is a need for a swift change, both in spirit and in will on the pitch. The missing philosophy in combination with a lacking playing-style is only hurting the team.
I wonder, if Arteta is up for it and can face the challenges ahead? Does he have the character and ability to assemble a squad and make it a force to be reckon with?
At this very moment… that seems unlikely. The manager has Mount Everest to climb and seems to have nobody around used to cross even the smallest of hills. It is not only Arteta that is lacking, but the people around him. They are part of transition that seems to nowhere and the results are screaming relegation. As the team is even beneath Norwich, which is deemed direct relegation before the season start.
Arteta have to boost confidence and prove that his project is worth damn while saving this season. That is not easy for a rookie. The patience of the owners is just lasting for so long and they cannot afford to be outside of the Premier League either. That’s why Arteta’s next moves has to show results and actually heart. Not just being beaten and look like a Championship side in the wrong league. That’s usually for teams of a different stature than Arsenal. However, all big team fails at one point and goes down a division.
Maybe, it’s their turn like other greats gone down to smell the coffee and have to return to fight for another day. However, that would still be terrible and be a daft legacy to put on your name. That you, Arteta during your reign as manager was able to relegate a legendary and great team as Arsenal. Peace.
MinBane 