Big Mikel Arteta surprise the start of Arsenal turnaround?

Three matches, three defeats, no goals. Everyone has heard those figures mentioned numerous times now. Arsenal got what they deserved and the entire atmosphere around the club was glum.

It should have been expected prior to the Premier League season starting that this would be a tough campaign for Arsenal. Not only are they a shadow of their former competitive selves, the rest of the division keeps getting stronger.

With talk of Antonio Conte coming in to replace Mikel Arteta if he didn’t spark an almighty turnaround in the fixtures following the first international break, to have now won the Premier League Manager of the Month award is an almighty surprise.

While it was far from inconceivable that Arsenal could (and should) have secured victories over Norwich, Burnley and Tottenham, it was never felt in the aftermath of the 5-0 humbling to Manchester City that the manager would be in this position just three matches later.

Big Mikel Arteta surprise could spark Arsenal turnaround as the Gunners’ boss wins the Premier League Manager of the Month award for September

From 20th in the table to Manager of the Month. It’s incredible how quickly things can change in football.

There has been unquestionable improvement across this spell. But then again, losing comfortably for three consecutive matches and failing to score is, quite literally in this case, rock bottom anyway. It’s almost impossible not to improve on that against relegation candidates.

And while this award to testament to the work that has gone into trying to make Arsenal competitive again, it’s just an award. It isn’t the signal for this team to be great again. The performance against Brighton was still hugely lacklustre.

However, it gives the current run of form some reward.

It’s now five unbeaten in all competitions with four of those coming in the top-flight, leaving Arsenal in 11th place and four points off the top four positions ahead of facing Crystal Palace once domestic football returns from its break.

Arsenal are moving in the right direction. As everyone is well aware, the speed of that direction remains questionable. It’s all well and good resetting the course, but it has the potential to veer off target with every matchweek and the progress being made isn’t to everyone’s tastes. After all, Arteta has been here for 20 months.

But enough of the negativity: Arteta has just won Manager of the Month; 3 games, 3 wins, 5 goals scored, 1 goal conceded, 2 clean sheets. Whatever turnaround may or may not be taking place isn’t indicated with an award that can be held aloft. It’s down the performances and results. Those are getting there.

Yet the change in fortunes sandwiching six matches is nevertheless remarkable. Few saw this coming. Well done to Mikel and his coaching team.