Arsenal: Mikel Arteta tread fine line between conviction and stubbornness

Unlike Arsenal’s previous manager, Mikel Arteta has shown an authoritative conviction since taking charge. However, his firm stance must not descend into stubbornness.

The Arsenal touchline has seen three different individuals meandering back and forth upon it this season. The first was Unai Emery, who struggled to stamp his authority throughout his entire tenure with the club. His second season, especially, saw the team’s morale fall apart completely and he was eventually and rightfully sacked.

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The second was interim boss and former Invincible Freddie Ljungberg, whose appointment was merely a stop-gap solution as the club searched for a more permanent solution. Ljungberg offered hope and excitement, but in reality, very little changed as he won just one of his six games in charge.

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In the end, another former player, Mikel Arteta, succeeded Ljungberg as the permanent replacement for Emery. And now, a little under three months into his reign, it is quite clear that is the only one who has had both the time and confidence to stamp his authority on the team, which has been lacking even into the latter Arsene Wenger years.

The former Manchester City number two shares a degree of likeability reminiscent to Wenger in press conferences. However, in addition to said admirability comes an authoritative tone and forceful presence. While Wenger always protected the players from over-criticism from fans, journalists and various other outside sources, Arteta does not shy away from holding players accountable, when need be.

The early signs of Arteta’s management are positive, and much of his good work stems from this newly instilled strength of character and demand of the players he manages. However, there is still a crucial line which the new manager finds himself balancing, one that he must not lean too far to either side. Arteta must walk the tightrope between conviction and stubbornness.

Unlike Emery, Arteta has shown that no player will overpower him. A widely reported rift with Matteo Guendouzi saw the mercurial Frenchman dropped from the side altogether just a few weeks ago, but he was then brought back after the alleged animosity between the player and manager was sorted out.

The 37-year-old manager also seems to have issues with Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ work ethic and has acted swiftly. But unlike the way Emery handled the Mesut Ozil situation, stating the freezing out of the German playmaker was down to ‘tactical reasons’, Arteta has been transparent with his reasons, bullishly saying the young Englishman must work harder in training to earn his spot back.

While a manager maintaining a firm stance is a good thing, crossing the metaphoric line and seeing that stance devolve into stubbornness would be detrimental. For instance, only Arteta truly recognises Maitland-Niles’ demeanour in training, it is quite evident that Sokratis does not provide enough as a full-back and looks extremely uncomfortable there when played in Maitland-Niles’ stead.

While a manager showing confidence in their decisions is encouraging to see, that is only the case when it is not to the detriment of the team. Steadfastly, obdurately standing by those decisions even in the spite of clear evidence that suggests they are harming the team is not so wise.

Thus far, Arteta has not been a stubborn manager. He has forthright, strong, purposeful, and well-defined. But the line between conviction and unyielding obstination is a fine one and Arteta must tread that line carefully.