Arsenal: 6 reasons Arteta deserves huge credit this season

The tenure of Mikel Arteta at Arsenal has been, shall we say, tumultuous. During his time at the helm he’s broken countless unwanted records, held silverware aloft, as well as overseeing, and being part of, remarkable change.

Arsenal are not the same Arsenal they were little over two years ago. No even remotely close.

There has been a structural reshuffle, an unprecedented turnover of playing staff, new coaching appointments and even a promotion for the man in charge. More is still to come.

At present the focus is on this group of players, one that went through the month of February with three wins from three matches, capped off with a 95th minute winner over Wolves in the most recent outing.

Arsenal: 6 reasons Mikel Arteta deserves huge credit this season as Gunners remain in Premier League top four hunt

That match leaves 14 left to play in this Premier League season, with just one target in sight. Last season the aim was to be in Europe in whatever capacity after some atrocious form in the first half of the campaign, whereas now it’s all on being among the continent’s elite.

It’s hard to overlook the work that Arteta has done this season. It deserves immense credit. Equally, as he has done on numerous occasions across his tenure, he’s made mistakes. Pretty sizeable ones, too.

But just as the team is developing, so is he. The youngest manager in the English top-flight, and one of the youngest in Europe’s top five divisions, is, as they say, learning on the job. Many at Arsenal are in the same boat.

But shifting focus to the positives, it’s hard…well, impossible, in fact, not to sit back and see this project going places under his stewardship. How can you not be excited for the future? For a man who has endured his fair share of criticism, it’s time to give Arteta some credit for six main aspects this season.

1. Being in Top Four Contention With the Youngest Squad

Starting with the obvious.

It’s not just that this is the youngest squad in the league; it would be different if it was the youngest squad in the league whom all happened to have known each other since they were kids.

That isn’t the case. This is the youngest squad in the league who, for most, have only played alongside each other for 20 Premier League matches and, despite that, are currently ahead of the pack for a top four finish.

Getting this group, who for many are still in the early stages of their development and English football experience, into the top four conversation, one they hold a narrow advantage in, with 14 games left to go has to garner praise.

Granted, it’s praise that in four weeks time could turn into hollow words if Arsenal were to embark on a losing streak, but that isn’t the case now. A team this young has been moulded together and is pushing hard for Champions League football. Considering that they’re in the mix now despite many of the players not due to reach their peaks for a few years, is immensely encouraging.

They’re all going to get better and if they can finish in the top four this term it would be a special achievement. Just as the players need applauding, so does the manager. The two work in tandem.

Arteta has got them in with a real chance.

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