Mikel Arteta hits incredible Arsenal milestone with Champions League win over Kairat

Mikel Arteta hit another incredible milestone as his Arsenal side managed a 3-2 win over Kairat in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The Spaniard, taking charge of his 325th game since taking charge at Emirates Stadium, recorded his 200th win as Gunners boss to reach yet another huge landmark during his journey in north London.

It was a big moment for Arteta in the midst of a season where he is very eager to prove himself as a title-winning manager for Arsenal, but the stats don't lie and it's clear he has his side on the right tracks.

Mikel Arteta records 200th win as Arsenal manager

Having left the club as a player three years earlier, Arteta first took charge of a depleted and lacklustre Arsenal side as Head Coach in December 2019. His first game was a 1-1 draw away to Bournemouth, which set the example for the uphill task he had ahead of him.

He then recorded his first victory two games later, overcoming Manchester United 2-0 at the Emirates to get himself up and running as gaffer. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted his maiden campaign in management, but he did end it with silverware. Following the resumption of the season, he guided the Gunners to their 14th FA Cup win, defeating Chelsea 2-1 at an empty Wembley Stadium.

After having his title changed to 'Manager', Arteta endured a tough second season at the helm, coming under plenty of scrutiny as Arsenal struggled to find their feet, finishing eighth in the Premier League for the second consecutive campiagn.

However, they showed huge improvements during the 2021/22 season, going on a charge that saw them narrowly miss out on a return to the Champions League, being pipped to fourth place by arch-rivals Tottenham.

Another busy transfer window followed and the Gunners looked a very different team as they challenged Manchester City for the Premier League title, only to finish second after slipping up in the final weeks of the season.

Arteta and Arsenal went again though, taking the title race down to the last day of the 2023/24 campaign, only to lose out to City once again by a frustrating two points.

With injuries having a big impact, the 2024/25 season was underwhelming on the domestic front, but Arteta did guide the Gunners to just their third Champions League semi-final before losing 3-1 on aggregate to Manchester City.

Following a window that many felt was Arsenal purchasing the final pieces to their side, Arteta now has his team top of the league with one foot in the Carabao Cup semi-final and a spot in the Champions League round of 16 after a brilliant league phase that saw them win all eight games.

It was certainly a bumpy ride for Arteta in the early years, but there is no denying he has taken Arsenal from being mid-table dwellers to serious title contenders on all fronts. His 200th win is a milestone in what is going to be a long journey under the Spaniard, but fans will be hoping this is the year top silverware finally returns to the red half of north London.