Arsenal and Mikel Arteta identity: Put up or shut up

Mikel Arteta is the new head coach of Arsenal. He will instil a new identity at the club. It is now up for players to put up or shut up as they are asked to adapt.

When Pep Guardiola arrived in Manchester, he demanded that the players adapt to his style. He dropped Joe Hart because he couldn’t play with the ball at his feet, Yaya Toure was quickly jettisoned in midfield, while Sergio Aguero was dropped for Gabriel Jesus, the latter offering a greater work-rate without the ball, especially when pressing after turnovers.

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For Guardiola, if you were not going to play his way, you were not going to play. Hart and Toure were unable or unwilling to adapt, but Aguero worked hard in training, proved that he was changing his way to adapt to Guardiola’s style, and reclaimed his starting spot as the spearhead of the Manchester City attack.

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This is a telling story for what is about to happen at Arsenal. Guardiola’s assistant, Mikel Arteta, was hired as the Gunners’ new head coach last week. As a former player, he understands and has a prior relationship with the club, yes, but he is undoubtedly being tasked with bringing Guardiola’s approach to the Emirates. And this will include this ruthless player selection that Guardiola is famed for.

In fact, when asked what he learned from Guardiola in his introductory press conference, more than the tactics, the man-management, the tika-taka style or winning mentality, Arteta hailed his former boss’ ruthlessness:

"“What I’ve learned mostly is that you have to be ruthless and you have to be consistent and you have to fit every day the culture of the club to create a winning mentality.”"

Later in the same press conference, he hammered home the point:

"“I don’t want them hiding, I want people to take responsibility for their jobs and I want people who deliver passion and energy in the football club. Anyone who doesn’t buy into this, or that has a negative effect or whatever, is not good enough for this environment or this culture.”"

It is quite clear: Arteta will demand that the Arsenal players adapt to his approach. They must perform as he requires. They must be capable of executing the processes that he wants. They must work in the way he wants to, with the effort he necessitates. There is no room for error or laziness. It is Arteta’s way or the highway.

There have been questions regarding the players’ attitude and application. Mesut Ozil is not known for his integrity and commitment, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is reportedly desperate to leave, while several players outright disregarded Unai Emery, ridiculing his coaching style and accent. Arteta will have none of it, and he will have the freedom to rid the club of them if they refuse to adapt.

This is a new, ruthless era of Arsenal football. It started with Raul Sanllehi and Edu. It now extends through Arteta, and it could see a much-needed revitalisation of a lacklustre, stagnating squad.