Arsenal: The 5 massive positives Mikel Arteta has inspired

1. Raised expectations

The culture within the Arsenal squad has been a serious problem for years. Even under Arsene Wenger, there was a comfort and acceptability that meant underperformers were not challenged, tested, or held to account. Standards slipped, mediocrity was accepted, and the team declined as a result. Mikel Arteta has set about changing that from the off.

“I don’t want people hiding,” vowed Arteta upon his arrival at the club. “I want people taking responsibility for the job. Anybody that doesn’t buy into this is not good enough for this environment or culture.”

Later, before his first game as head coach against Bournemouth on Boxing Day, he again echoed that sentiment. “We are much more committed. The body language was much better and they had much more passion,” Arteta said, reflecting on his players’ work in training. “That is non-negotiable. What we are going to transmit to the team is accountability to play for this football club. This is the basic.”

Arteta has raised the expectations. The players are now held accountable, there is more demanded of them, and a set of non-negotiables must be achieved for them to be a part of the team. Changing the culture has been Arteta’s primary focus this season, and it has had a terrific impact.