Arsenal and Mikel Arteta: Results are temporary, progress is permanent

Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal have experienced a serious renaissance, with one notable exception: results But, with time and patience, the beneficial processes will yield beneficial results.

Under Mikel Arteta, despite all the positive changes the Spaniard has implemented, Arsenal still have endured difficult results. They have become masters of the 1-1 draw, with an increase in defensive solidity not quite matching up with their often impotent attack. However, this not the time to panic. There is a solution.

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Some of the problems can easily be chalked up to individual mistakes. Stupid fouls, unnecessary red-cards, and Shkodran Mustafi’s enigmatic existence have already plagued Arteta’s term — the sleepyheaded defending and lack of tactical awareness exhibited is still shocking.

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Likewise, many of the issues Arsenal experienced under Unai Emery — an over-reliance on Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, a general lack of creative midfielders, a constant run of nasty injuries and illnesses at the worst possible times — have remained. And their presence has nothing to do with Arteta. It will take him at least a full season, likely more, to imprint his vision on the team. He cannot eradicate those issues overnight.

And what’s more, the results have improved, despite the lack of wins. Arteta has only lost one match, has kept the team in contention for the European places in the Premier League, and will look to progress in the FA Cup against Bournemouth on Monday night. Yes, the Gunners are 10th in the table, but they are also only four points off fifth. String some wins together and the picture will look very different.

And to those fans who have criticized the new Arsenal boss for his lack of success, let me just ask you. How could he possibly have done any better? He has taken a lazy, overburdened squad full of overpaid underperformers and actually made them look vaguely capable and like they can win a game.

He has played players at their correct positions when he can, and where he believes they will have the greatest impact when he cannot. And he is often right about that impact. Just look at Bukayo Saka and his newfound ability at left-back. Saka is not a left-back by trade, but Arteta has recognised a specific skill set that means the teenager is capable in his version of the left-back position when desperate for another option.

Arteta has also brought faith back to the squad. He has convinced Granit Xhaka, Alexandre Lacazette, and Aubameyang, at least for the time being, to stay and work with him on this exciting new project he is building in north London. David Luiz has spoken at length at how he believes Arteta will be a great manager, while plenty of other players have been very positive about the prospects of the team under Arteta.

And so, while the results at present are troubling, with the progress made under Arteta, they will come. In the meantime, fans must simply be patient.