Give Arteta his dues because Arsenal are on the right track

Mikel Arteta Has Overcome So Many Obstacles

One of Arteta’s most significant challenges when he took over was moving on players who were not good enough and trimming the club’s astronomical wage budget. A fascinating stat arose recently to visualise the overhaul: only two players, Granit Xhaka and Bukayo Saka started in the victory over Manchester United at the weekend and Arteta’s first-ever game in charge back in December of 2019.

The wage bill has been trimmed dramatically this season, cutting it from £157m at the start of the 2020/21 season to now just £87.2m at the time of writing. Together with the club it has cut in half in one season, even if it has required paying many to leave. Such was the standard inherited that there was precious little else to do. Arsenal was operating on a Champions League budget while not receiving the revenue of playing in Europe’s elite competition.

So, let’s look at some of the problems that Arteta had to solve when he became Arsenal manager:

• Clear the deadwood – almost done
• Decrease the crippling wage bill – big strides taken
• Solve the defensive fragilities – done
• Build a squad capable of challenging – on the right track

It was always going to be a long process, which he told the supporters. Trust in the process. Having been out of any hope of a European place at the start of the year to now have Champions League and not Europa League football within touching distance is an achievement, even if it’s far from secured. One mustn’t forget this has been done with a squad that needs two to three players to feel like a team that can challenge finally. Arsenal are going into games with Nketiah, Elneny and Cedric now, and still competing for fourth spot.

Whether Arsenal clinch Champions League football or not – it would be sensational if they do – Arteta and co’s work to turn around the stagnating club that the Gunners had become deserves plaudits.

Some still want him out, and that is fine, but look at where he has the club. From being in the doldrums of pity to now thinking the club can secure Champions League football. All in seven months, mind you. How can you not want to see more? The progression is there to see.

Regardless of personal opinion of the Gunners manager, one can’t argue that under his guidance, Arsenal has a superb and realistic chance to become closer the team it once was. With his management and brilliant football mind, coupled with generational players like Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, all that is needed is some carefully picked players in the summer to put the cherry on top of this Arsenal team that feels ready to become “Arsenal” again.

While the club is still a work in progress, give Arteta his dues. The man has completely turned the club around. It hasn’t been pretty at times, but what rebuild isn’t without hiccups? But we can see the forest through the trees now. We can see what Arteta’s vision for the club is.

Importantly, the supporters like it. There has never been a bond like this between the players and the fans across the Emirates era. Buckle up Arsenal fans as this next chapter will be fun, and we can thank Arteta for putting the club in this position.

Pundits and journalists alike stated at the beginning that Arteta should be given three summer windows to get his players in, and then to judge him. We are here and, now more than ever, Arsenal is not only on the right track under the 40-year-old’s guidance, but thriving.