Mikel Arteta breaks 14-year unwanted Arsenal streak

Mikel Arteta is not seen in the same way he was even just six months ago. What was a much-maligned Arsenal manager is now the the source of hope for so many.

Preparing to take his side to Crystal Palace on Monday with just two Premier League defeats in 2022 – those coming against Liverpool and Manchester City – he may well lead the club back into the Champions League at the third time of asking.

The first time was always near impossible, and the second attempt fell flat on its face, yet this time there is real belief that the Gunners can end a four-season spell outside of Europe’s elite.

Helping them edge closer to that goal has been a fine run of March form. Arteta led his side out for four league matches, the latest of which saw his team secure a resilient win away at AstonVilla, a result that followed just 63 hours after a defeat at home to Liverpool that was lost on fine margins.

Mikel Arteta breaks 14-year unwanted Arsenal streak as he wins Manager of the Month Award for the second time in 2021/22 Premier League season

Prior to that there were two more victories, with a comfortable 2-0 success at home to Leicester coming after an entertaining 3-2 win over Watford to start the month. Arteta and Bukayo Saka were nominated for the Manager and Player of the Month respectively, and the Spaniard has trumped his fellow managerial competition to scoop the award.

In doing so he secured his second gong of the month this season – the only other manager to do so is Pep Guardiola – although it’s another record that sticks out the most.

When he won the POTM award back in September he became the first Arsenal boss to be bestowed with that prize since Arsene Wenger way back in October 2015, while on this occasion, having secured his second, he becomes the first Gunners boss to have won it twice in the same season since Wenger all the back in the 2007/08 campaign.

Wenger won his in September and December of 2007 that term, which means it’s been more than 14 years since any manager at the club has achieved this feat.

Is there a bit of controversy about it? Well…yes, since both Thomas Tuchel and Jurgen Klopp (who beat Arteta at the Emirates) went through their months unbeaten, but we won’t begrudge the boss his award. He deserves it. Sort of.

Does any of it really matter? Not especially. After all, Bruno Fernandes has won POTM the same number of times as Henry, Bergkamp, Lampard and Shearer.

But still, it’s something to savour.