Arsenal fans have little reason to trust Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta’s Tactical and Managerial Mistakes Break Arsenal Trust

From a tactical standpoint, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was stuck out on the left wing where his influence was minimal at best, entrusting him with helping Arsenal create with the weakest trait of his skillset. Willian continued to play despite offering nothing. Emile Smith Rowe took too long to integrate when the need for a No. 10 was clear, having been available for selection since October.

There was that stage around November/December where Arteta cited ‘pure maths’ as his reason for instructing the team to pump as many pointless crosses into the box for strikers who’ve never been competent headers of the ball. Spurting out percentages post-Everton was a particularly bizarre meltdown. His attempts to quell concerns of Arsenal’s offensive impetus were the signs of someone in way over their head.

Man-management, the handling of certain players, team selections and in-game substitutions (or lack thereof) keep this ball of critique rolling.

In crucial fixtures this season, baffling calls have been made that have severely impacted team performance. In its infancy, Granit Xhaka at left-back worked. It really did. Moving him there to accommodate for an area of the pitch that was failed in the January transfer market was a stroke of brilliance.

Against Slavia Prague especially, it truly showed his coaching acumen. However, when Everton come to the Emirates and Richarlison swaps flanks to exploit it, then you know the gig is up: this plan did work, now it needs scrapping. Play Bukayo Saka there, who began in the Premier League as a left-back, or play Cedric, who has been perennially put on the naughty step after one mistake.

Then to implement a pair different systems and task Emile Smith Rowe with playing two entirely different positions in the Europa League semi-finals was an outstanding disasterclass. For many, the penny dropped there.

Mistakes by the dozen, as well as those not even mentioned.

All that said, Arteta earns mitigation for what has transpired during his tenure. Unforeseen factors that have affected life, not just football, all placed on the shoulders of a man who is in a job far too soon in his career. If you’re offered the position, of course you take it. It’s a dream opportunity from every angle. But this chalice is poisoned, with other spells cast on it frequently throughout the last 18 months.

Looking at just the decisions and them alone, the case for trusting Arteta is weak. Fans have little reason to do so. And, even now he’s been granted until the first few months after the window to turn it around, supporters needn’t trust him. Whether or not one does is mostly irrelevant.

Arteta and the team around him have already made mistakes – they’ll likely make more – but just as he’s been given chance to learn on the job, so have those above him. We don’t have any reason to trust them either.

This isn’t a case of Arteta and co getting the occasional transfer here and there right this summer, every single one has to be spot on. Nothing other than the acquisition of Gabriel – who should have played more – signals that they will.

Trust isn’t gained overnight, but it can be lost. Right now, few trust the process. Instead, many are sat processing their trust.

It will take a while to regain. Works begins now.