Mikel Arteta’s overlooked triumph at Arsenal

One should never underestimate how quickly matters can change in football. A club like Arsenal is forever hovering on the cusp of crisis and contentment. Mikel Arteta even welcomed it:

"“I think that feeling is very necessary at a big club, because every defeat is a crisis and it should be a crisis,” he said."

Having extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to nine matches with a 2-0 win over Leicester on matchweek ten of the Premier League, Arsenal have leaned way over to the side of contentment and away from a supposed crisis.

The turnaround in results is being put down to a number of factors, often centering on the tactical calls and usage of certain personnel. But there is more to it than that.

Mikel Arteta’s overlooked triumph at Arsenal is forging a united squad and club with a positive atmosphere to lead them up the Premier League

Changing shape, reinstating a double pivot, varying the build-up and avoiding having a midfielder drift into left centre-back spaces are just a few of the alterations the manager has made which are paying dividends on the pitch. All have played their part.

What about the non-tactical elements? The parts of the game that you don’t coach?

Arteta’s biggest triumph with this squad, one that has flown under the radar, is the spirit. The feeling in and around the camp. There is a positive atmosphere; one of unity, camaraderie and dedication.

Having sunk to the very depths away at Manchester City with that nightmare afternoon’s 5-0 drubbing, the contrast in beaming smiles at the King Power Stadium come full time were the opposite end of the spectrum.

Yes, of course, winning football matches does that. Naturally you’re happy. But the togetherness of this group has been prevalent throughout. Arteta was laughed at pre-Norwich when he stated that the two weeks following the loss to City were the best he’s had in football. You can really understand now, more than ever, what it is he meant.

Everyone is pulling in the same direction, backroom staff to playing staff and all in between. Even when the performances have been lacking it is evident how on board this team is with what their manager is projecting. Arteta has rallied this group, changed the ‘culture’, and instilled a belief that the path ahead is the right one for all involved.

He deserves tremendous credit for that. To maintain faith in the (yes) process despite the trials and tribulations the team has gone through, many of the manager’s own doing, is an impressive feat. One need only look at the body language of the players to see it rubbing off.

Arsenal celebrating their equaliser against Crystal Palace was seen as a sign of how far the expectations of this club had fallen. From the glass half full side, it was a team desperate to continue an unbeaten run. They’re playing for the club, the fans, themselves and the manager. This is a team united.

Results will still falter and bridges will have to be crossed. What there is now, however, is a team, and club, ready to do so in unison.