Arsenal: 3 players who deserve coal for Christmas

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (L) hugs Arsenal's Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as he leaves the field during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 22, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /

3 of 3

CASTELLON, SPAIN – APRIL 29: coach Mikel Arteta of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League match between Villarreal v Arsenal at the Estadio de la Ceramica on April 29, 2021 in Castellon Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images) /

3. Mikel Arteta

Obviously not a player, we’re bending the rules slightly to include the manager.

Yes, the manager who made outstanding signings over the summer. Yes, the manager who has got Arsenal into the top four at Christmas. Yes, the manager who guided Arsenal to third semi-final in two years.

The same manager who did whatever that was against Villarreal over two legs. It still cuts deep. We haven’t forgotten, Mikel.

Starting out with the baffling false nine nonsense in the away leg, where poor Emile Smith Rowe looked lost at sea and everyone on planet earth could see that Dani Ceballos was going to be sent off, he was similarly experimental in the second leg.

Going with a single pivot, Arsenal had one measly shot on target against a really poor Villarreal side when all they had to do was score one goal. It was the tamest performance ever coming straight after one of the worst a week earlier.

For that, and for that alone, Arteta deserves coal under his tree.

Next. Predicted lineup vs Norwich. dark

Please don’t go full MacGyver again next time we’re playing the biggest game of the season, Mikel. Pretty please.

Home/Arsenal News