Arsenal: 5 improvements under Arteta this season

4. Arteta Has Rebuilt a Connection With the Fans

The supporters in the grounds as well as those watching on this season have been spectacular. For the first time in what feels like an eternity – the pandemic helped extend that wait – there appears to be a true connection with those on the pitch and those off it.

Arteta has banged on about it enough to let us know how important of a trait this is, and in doing so has built a unity that has doubtlessly paid dividends in the improved performances.

It’s a bond that has been broken and stewing in toxicity since the end of Wenger’s years and much of the way through Unai Emery’s tenure. How fortunate, or unfortunate, may Arteta have been not to have supporters in the stadiums during the dark days last year remains to be seen, yet with fans back there is a bond that continues to grow.

The recruitment side of matters has played its part, as fans find it far easier to connect with their team if it’s full of young, hungry and charismatic players all of whom are likable in a playing and personal sense. The strategy implemented is one any fan can get on board with.

Even the change from Bernd Leno to Aaron Ramsdale has had a remarkable impact as the German was someone who never connected that deeply with the fans, whereas there is not a soul in north London that isn’t totally smitten with the new arrival.

This isn’t all Arteta’s doing but it does come back to his early days in the job where he spoke about changing the culture. If it happens internally it resonates externally for those looking in and he has done a tremendous job in reforging that connection.

Winning games helps, too.

Continued…