Mikel Arteta has now made Arsenal into true title contenders

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JULY 26: Bukayo Saka #7 of Arsenal celebrates after he scored a goal against Barcelona with teammates Martin Odegaard #8 and kai Havertz #29 during the first half of a pre-season friendly match between Arsenal and Barcelona at SoFi Stadium on July 26, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Arsenal have been progressive under Mikel Arteta’s guidance; there’s no doubt about that. We can only marvel at the work he’s done at the Emirates. Before he took over, Arsenal had lost its identity. The Gunners were a mid-table team that could only dream of contending for the Premier League. Now, they are the real deal.

The 1-0 Crystal Palace win, although not as convincing in terms of the scoreboard, showed how far the Gunners have come Arsenal dominated the game from the first minute to the end; even being reduced to 10 men didn’t see them lose their grip; they controlled possession, created numerous goal-scoring opportunities, and were guilty of not converting them. Arsenal crumbling to pressure and struggling to break down defensive teams is now a thing of the past.

Arsenal now have a clear playing style. It was built on a solid defensive foundation and quickness in transitioning the ball to attack. Arteta has made his players believe in his vision, and his attention to detail and ability to get the best out of his players have been critical to the good vibes at the Emirates and London Colney.

Arsenal’s transfer activity under Arteta has also borne fruit. Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes, Thomas Partey, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Martin Odegaard, Tomiyasu, Kai Harvertz, Declan Rice, Leo Trossard, Jurrien Timber (even in his brief debut), Gabriel Jesus, and Jakub Kiwior have all been impactful in their own way, and they’ve shown us why they were signed. Developing young talents like Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Emile Smith-Rowe, and Eddie Nketiah has been interesting to see and has clearly shown Arteta’s belief in youngsters.

The 2023–24 PL title race is still open of course. Fortunately, Arsenal is one of the three teams with a perfect record: 2 wins in 2. Arsenal have come from far and are destined to be on top. The Gunners’ confidence in Arteta’s new tactics grows with each passing game, and their performances will become more convincing.

The signs are promising, and if Arsenal can maintain their upward trajectory, they could well be lifting the Premier League trophy next May.

Can we do it? YES WE CAN!

Sam P


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21 Comments

  1. The solid defensive foundation mentioned by the writer was not in evidence at the business end of last season and the injury to Timber is undoubtedly a set back.Whether we can overcome his absence will be judged when we meet our main competitors ,but based on the inverted full back tactic favoured by Arteta, and his deployment of certain players out of position, I am not overly confident of our being able to keep clean sheets against teams which are quick on the counter attack.In this respect the acquisition of the excellent Rice may plug the gaps which appeared regularly down the left of our defence last season.Let’s hope so.

    1. Grandad, you do have a big point. However, there is a big reason to be hopeful. The way Arsenal played City in Community shield especially last 20 minutes with players that came in shows there is strength indepth and we got the result. Also holding off Crystal Palace with 10 men at their difficult ground shows Arteta is doing something right, we could have lost or draw the game. Our balance in the game was much better than NForest. TPathey wasn’t overlapping because of counter attacks. Can’t say same for left side though,Kiwior may be needed there bcos Zichenko and KT always leaves space at the back. zicgenko in particul not quick at defending. I think with games they will get better. I love combination of Pathey and Rice in midfield against MCity in Community shield, hope Arteta can adapt that tactics against big opposition.

    2. Our defensive foundation at the business end of last season was shaky because our best defender, Saliba, was out injured.

      MA has bought cover for him already in Timber, who unfortunately might not play anymore this season. There are rumours though that we might sign another defender as cover.

  2. The 1-0 Crystal Palace win, although not as convincing in terms of the scoreboard, showed how far the Gunners have come Arsenal dominated the game from the first minute to the end;
    Is this a joke, how did we dominate from start to finish. And please remind me again how many academy players has Arteta promoted to the first team even pep can boldly say he promoted foden and this season now he has palmer. I appreciate what Arteta has done but stop making it feel like he has achieve something when in truth he hasn’t, all this praises should go to the board who has given him time and lots of financial backing. He might one day end up being a great coach but for now he hasn’t achieve anything. So please tone down the praise a bit.

    1. Lenohappy, I think giving us hopes as fans is a big achievements that would lead to trophies. The toxic atmosphere emirate stadium was known for has now change to that of a huge support of excitement. Now I watch Arsenal and feels they can and should win a game because of the way we dominate teams. Bros, the board didn’t do that but the coach. And I bet the team can only get better. Of Arteta, I tell you “Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown”

    2. Lenohappy You clearly don’t go to games if you don’t think he’s achieved anything, the atmosphere and togetherness is something I’ve not seen for almost 20 years. Were a club going in the right direction of you haters like it or not

    3. If you think the board giving financial backing to a manager delivers success, I refer you to the incredible mess they have made of things at Chelsea.

      The praise for Arteta, instead of being toned down, should be shouted from the rooftops. He has, so far, done an incredible job.
      He has got rid of all the toxic members in the squad, brought in excellent replacements, restored the trust, connection, and love between fans and the club, and built a squad which can challenge for titles again. A squad of young, hungry players … not fat has-beens like Casemiro!
      He won the FA Cup merely 6 mnths into his first ever managerial job, too!

      His efforts have served to restore Arsenal’s profile which means players like Rice and Timber rejected ManC and Manure to come to the Emirates.
      It also means our revenues have increased because sponsors believe in our brand again. AND, he worked really hard to bring the legendary Arsene Wenger back to the club after he had been estranged.

      Mikel Arteta has achieved more than most managers could ever have done, and he’s done it without prior experience at any club.

    4. he has really promoted arsenal as club that is evident. returning arsenal to champions league is a great archievement on my side. And also posting good results last season is simple illustration that we arse yet to receive more than that.

    5. So every arsenal fans all over the world must go to live games before we can be considered true fans and me saying he hasn’t achieve anything yet means I’m hater. You really need to grow up.

      1. @Lenohappy: That’s not what he said, and you know it.

        By the way, why not respond to @UmairMirxa who countered your point about the Board getting all the credit due to financing. Yeah, what about Chelsea? I can’t wait for your answer.

  3. Yes. No team can bully Arsenal now, thanks to Arteta’s new double-inverted-fullback tactic and the addition of Havertz/ Rice in the starting line-up

    If we play against a team with great high-pressing ability like Man City and Liverpool, our GK could simply make long passes to Havertz’s head and his teammates would have a bigger chance to win the second ball

    If we play against a team that park the bus like Nottingham Forest, our inverted-fullbacks would be ready to anticipate the opposition’s counter and wing attacks, because they always stay behind to play with our CDM in deep-midfield area

  4. Newcastle star Jacob Murphy says Arsenal is the toughest team he had played against in the last campaign.

    Tactically, our season had begun from the Sunday we wrestled away the big shield from the Citizens, However we are in the second week of the proper test and so far so good.

    Yes, Arsenal has to be in the conversation with the big jug, but the Kroenkes deserves huge credit for sticking with the gaffer through many of tough times, as even after successive eight places finishes, we trusted the process, and was rewarded in scintillating fashion of the last campaign.

  5. Arteta has done excellent so far.

    However, I fear he has let his success go to his head this season.

    I think he is trying to prove he is as good a manager as Pep.

    My real worry is that he might make a dogs dinner of the Arsenal team this season in trying.

    1. @JW: Why shouldn’t he try to prove – or basically be as good or better than Guardiola? Head scratching moment there.

      Also, how has he let his success go to his head? Is this just typing a position on your part for the hell of it?

    2. @JW

      So MA wants more tactical options, yet you think it’s purely down to arrogance?

      Do you remember Wenger? Exactly the same tactics, formation, and even timing of his subs, and you could almost always know who was getting subbed irrespective of performance.

      I do not want us to be predictable like Wenger was. Not many managers have a genuine plan B, so I welcome MA developing other options.

      Oh and by the way, it’s working! 2 wins from 2, and dominance in both games.

      1. Compare him with Wenger when he has the golden trophy and a statue at the stadium.

        How can someone in this day and age with all the information and ability to at least think critically compare Wenger to Arteta.

        Very sad.

        1. The fact you didn’t answer my question, proves my point.

          Secondly, define the term “Arteta PR team”. Like with Wenger, I expect there are some on here who blindly support MA and put him before the club, but I am not one of those.

          I mostly praise what MA has done, because he’s mostly done good things. Facts speak for themselves in this case.

          It’s just very sad all the negativity so far in 22/23 from people like yourself despite:

          3 wins from 3
          3 good performances from 3
          New system is working
          A win over Man City
          Winning the first trophy of the season

          I hate to see what happens when we don’t win a game!

  6. We can definitely win the title provided we maintain our calm and composure throughout the season. The season will be long and hard and with CL football to play there will be additional pressure on the players both mentally and physically. The key factors would be no major injuries, consistency in playing style and winning matches and proper rest and rotation to players who will be looking tired towards the months of March and April.

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