Mikel Arteta defines Arsenal ruthlessness

Good PR and how the public perceive you is essential in almost every crevasse of football operations. You may be able to see right through it, or you could lap it up just as desired. At Arsenal there have been a few select choices of words that have resonated, for better or worse. This summer, it’s Mikel Arteta‘s use of ‘ruthless’.

Mikel Arteta opted to use this word in the aftermath of Arsenal’s miserable Europa League semi-final defeat to Villarreal when describing the road ahead in the summer transfer window.

“We have to be ruthless. There is no time to waste and there is a lot to do.”

Previously, supporters have latched on to the utterings of Ivan Gazidis, who insisted Arsenal would compete with the ‘Bayern Munich’s of the world’, some of the most cursed words spouted. Premier League and European ineptitude. This wasn’t PR in the PR sense, but indeed an image he sought to convey that was never lived up to.

Mikel Arteta defines Arsenal ruthlessness with summer transfer window clearout of senior squad not part of future plans

Later there was Raul Sanllehi and his explanation of Arsenal’s specialised ‘knock’, while Josh Kroenke insisting supporters should ‘be excited’ has since gone down like a lead balloon. You need to choose your words carefully.

Arteta has said plenty that has come back to bite him already, and with this summer in full swing his use of ‘ruthless’, perhaps overly so, has become the key phrase. Will he live up to that description or will Arsenal fall back into old habits and entrust those who have done little to warrant their inclusions?

It appears inroads have been made.

The transfer market hasn’t even opened yet and already David Luiz has left, Willian is being pushed out of the door willingly, Granit Xhaka is on the move, Hector Bellerin is certain to leave, Alexandre Lacazette it remains to be seen but could be heading out, while Cedric, another senior member of the squad, can’t get a look in. There is some ambiguity, however, as the desires of the players to leave may override the manager’s own intentions. That much we may never know.

Nonetheless, while only one of these departures is confirmed it’s a continuation of what happened in January. The unmovables were shifted on at a loss, with time given to those following that to either develop with the team or sign their own exit papers.

This phase of the rebuild is about committing to the long-term plan and shifting the players who can’t contribute in the next stage of the club’s future. It means cutting ties with players like Xhaka who, and there is no doubting this, was one of the better players at the club last season. Perhaps behind only Kieran Tierney and the Hale End duo.

‘Process? What process?’ This process.

Arteta and those above him have CV’s riddled with errors. Mistakes they shouldn’t have made and could have been avoided. Removing these players, if successful, won’t be the end of the road; we must then place our trust those in charge to make the right additions that follow. There is still no knowing whether they can or can’t.

Yet seeing a continuation of what occurred in the winter indicates the true nature of a rebuild is understood. A full scale restructuring. Arsenal have one of the most exciting cores they’ve had in years with Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Gabriel Martinelli, Kieran Tierney, Gabriel, Thomas Partey and William Saliba. A group to get behind.

It’s now about picking out the weeds around them and replanting purposefully. The first step is being seen to. The second stage we wait and see.