It finally happened, Mikel Arteta has returned home to manage The Arsenal. I’m over-joyed, you should be too.
The Spaniard turned up in a sharp suit, he looked the part and delivered an electric press conference. The sentiment amongst a fractured fanbase was unanimous in its positivity. We’re all excited to have a coach in place that speaks our language, literally, footballistically, and spiritually.
First and foremost, Arteta is here to fix the culture of a club that’s been going off the rails for the best part of 10 years. He said he felt low after coming here last week to give us a spanking at The Emirates. He’ll have seen that the team was flat on the pitch and he’ll have felt the toxicity in the stands. He has to change both those issues, but clearly, he recognises that the two are intertwined… not in a chicken and egg situation, in a great-football-means-great-vibes with the fans kind of way.
We have to try to engage everybody, I have to try and convince the players about what I want to do, how I want to do it, they have to start accepting a different process, a different way of thinking, and I want to get all the staff and everybody at the club with the same mindset.
We have to build a culture that has to sustain the rest. If you don’t have the right culture, in the difficult moments, the tree is going to shake, so my job is to convince everybody that this is how we are going to live, and if you are going to be part of this organisation it has to be in these terms and in this way.
And after that, we can talk about other things. Obviously now we need an immediate impact, we need to start winning games, we need to start to raise the level of confidence of the players, and finally we need the fans.
A culture is a set of desirable behaviours or actions you expect from a group. The trouble we’ve had over the last decade is there has been very little direction. A culture has to be in service of something. If there’s no vision or philosophy to believe in, it’s very difficult to expect players to behave in accordance to whatever views of culture we have in our own heads as fans.
A lot of us have pondered aloud ‘what is the Arsenal way?’ I think Arteta is about to bring some colour to that. He wants fast, free-flowing, attacking football. He wants players to be accountable, he wants to create a ruthless culture built around high performance. That was never clear under the last regime, or the one before that.
What I’ve learned mostly is that you have to be ruthless and you have to be consistent and you have to fit every day the culture of the club to create a winning mentality.
To sustain it is even harder, so every day is important, every act is important, every organisation is important. His work-rate is incredible, how inspirational he is to people is incredible.
But for me, the secret is that the people, the players and the staff, have to believe what they’re trying to deliver. You have to be able to transmit it, and people will buy into that.
The above is so important. Don’t just live your culture on warm summer days, or when you fancy it. Every day is important, every moment is an opportunity to prove yourself. This is what high performance is all about. One broken spoke at the highest level takes the machine off the road. He has a lot of broken spokes to mend, both amongst the playing staff and the backroom team.
I thought he handled most of the questions really well. He saluted Arsene Wenger and his impact on his own career. He celebrated the history, style and values of Arsenal, likening us to Barcelona. He held his hands up to the lack of experience accusation. He doesn’t have it, it’s a weakness, but one that he wants to address with passion, great ideas, and energy.
What I love, love, love is how much he wanted this job. He mentioned that he always yearned to return, he sees us as his club. He has Arsenal DNA.
When Arsenal knocks on any door, it’s difficult to say no. When it knocks on my door, this is my house and it makes it very difficult.
It was a very difficult decision, it’s true, but also I felt that the club needed someone to appoint. I saw that and they transmitted that.
They were so convinced that they wanted to go with me, that I had to take the challenge.
Love it. He is grateful for the opportunity. He respects the shirt. He desperately wants to make us great again. You bring in Jose, he’s bigger than Arsenal and he’d let you know. You bring in Allegri, he’s above the job. You flunk out with Nuno or Martinez, the ceiling is low, you’re going nowhere. Arteta is the future of football. Listen to him talk about the game here.
“Football is about habit & angles. It’s much more simple for a player if you can process the image of where your team-mate will be before receiving the ball.If I am in the kitchen and I know the glasses are always in this cupboard, I get my glass of water more quickly.”
He’s talking about cognition in football. Players learning patterns and movements so complex systems become second nature. Owning territories, seeking out playing signals, sensing danger. He’s painting complex ideas with simple words, can you now see why Emery had such a rough time?
He’s only been with us ten minutes and he’s asking where the drones are at so he can see training sessions from more angles. He’s an innovator, a deep thinker, and an absolute obsessive. The Athletic had a piece about him living on his own and people worrying about him because he’d have loads of games on TV with Beautiful Mind like tactical diagrams all over the place.
Now, cute stories in the media mean fuck all. Being young isn’t a skill. He still has a huge job on his hands. A great press conference isn’t going to win him points, it’s just a good start.
Reality is this: He is going to have a very rough 3 months. We’re going to lose games. He’ll fall out with players. There will be Youtubers shrieking about how they’re abandoning the vision just so they can be the first. As fans, we can’t cave, we have to show faith. There is an idea here. We are on the path to better. By the end of the season, I have no doubt we’ll be seeing a sharper identity. If we have a great summer, we will be competing for top 4 next season. From there, who knows where we could go.
We just need to keep the faith, accept the job is a big one, and believe in a new manager that is burning every drop of blood he has to make this work. I’m also hoping that Edu, who has taken ownership of this decision if his .com interview with Raul is anything to go by, is in lockstep about what the plan is. We need him to build an elite staff around Arteta, from what I gather, there are lots of moves in the pipeline, but some clubs are being tough about releasing staff. Steve Round is the assistant, he knows Mikel from his Everton days. We also have an exBarca goalkeeping coach. Most importantly, we have to address some of the player problems. If Xhaka is off in January, who is the dynamic midfielder we have lined up to replace him? If we’re losing big names in the summer, do we have a robust list of players we want to backfill? Who are the kids he’ll bring in?
I sound like a full-kit-coach-wanker saying this, but I believe great coaches make statements early on by bringing an unexpected kid through the ranks (Wenger > Anelka), making an average player great (Conte > Moses), or by killing a senior player (Mourinho > Mata). I pondered if Xhaka could be the average player, but I think he lacks physicality and pace. AMN could be an opportunity? ESR looked very good the other night, maybe he’s the kid? Could the senior player ready for the axe be one of our star strikers? Could Arteta revive Mesut Ozil?
So many questions. Reality is, this time, we have a world-class coach built for the Premier League. If Arteta can’t extract greatness, as he appears to have done with some big names at City, then the player isn’t going to work for Arsenal.
I am nervous about this hire. As they say in politics, it’s easy to be in opposition. I’ve been in opposition for 18 months, not really expecting Arsenal to make an incredibly bold and ambitious move. Now they have, I have to shut the fuck up and back this until the end. I’m confident though. Settling for a has-been would have been regressive. I don’t want a super-agent bitch at our club. There was no way we could have waited until the end of the season. Arteta is a very smart risk, he’s our moon-shot, the upsides to this are electric.
So in the words of Josh Kroenke, be excited, this is the next chapter we’ve been waiting for, it’s going to outrageous amounts of fun, I can’t wait to share the good times with you. He’s in the stands today, his first game in the dugout will be Bournemouth, his first home game, against Chelsea, which I will be at!
See you in the comments. x
“Mikel Arteta has returned home to manage The Arsenal. I’m over-joyed”
Yes Pedro but do you still have enough sauce ??
Looks like the sun is against them now, should be our advantage
Maryinelli and Saka will be part of our future.
Xhaka could be off
The final pass is simple but we have struggled.
Pepe for Nelson.
Willock for ESR.
Nelson –
Yep…. Marti makes me happy. Saka is a work in progress.. but has some tools to work with. You can’t coach speed.
This looks like 22 random geezers turned up for a kick about over Hackney Marshes
Unau na
Nope.
They had started getting regular cup games and some league games by 1994-95. By 1995-1996, they were already at the core of the team.
Tosun has pubes for hair.
Come on Freddie make a sub already.
Lack of quality on both sides here.
Don it has nothing to do with them being English ESR and AMN won’t make it here because they don’t have a particular position they’re not particularly good in one position. Not like Saka who can play LW/LM/LCM not like Willock who might eventually grow into a number 8. Emile I wouldn’t bin off straight away but he needs a proper loan somewhere he needs a season of football playing in a single position. AMN is just garbage though
Saka will get sent off if he’s not subbed.
that was some intense press lol
Saka and Nelson… so weak
Where is the off-the-ball movement?
Constant back passing kills us it gives the opposing team time to recover.
Womens football from ten years ago.
Martinelli is good at pressing
Davies is so average for Everton.
We have had 21 points from the last 21 away games.
Ouch
Very strange game.
So flat.
But to Arsenal’s advantage you would think.
I was expecting a lot harder game from Everton.
Auba really not interested. He’s off. And I’m glad.
Everton are going to tire, we need to keep the ball and work them.
Saka has kept Everton’s best player quiet and still had enough to make attacking forays.
BT commentary is boring and flat as well nothing worse that a scouser rabbiting on
Willock has been better from the bench.
ESR played better 2nd half.
Seems Ljungberg doesn’t think much of Guendouzi.
ESR is lack of confidence.
Here comes average Joe
Does Freddie want to win this game or just wants to make a point on his way out?
We’re still in the ‘desperate counter’ mode when we gather a turnover, it’s maddening to watch.
Need some personality to get a ball under control and make the right pass, not rush a first time ball or header and give away possession immediately after gaining it.
Ping pong football
Sub in Lacazette for Auba
Bring on Pepe for Nelson
Looked a pen….
I would replace Nelson with Laca.
AMN prefers to backpass somebody has to coach this out of him
Could we keep a clean sheet ?
What’s Freddie doing?
This game can still be won
Oh! The ball hit Willock’s hand first!
Not sure what Freddie’s issue is with Lacazette and Pepe…. they should be on by now
This is so poor. How have we been coached so bad? Simple things like running inside the fullback, passing and moving for the return ball.
Fullbacks receiving it from th keeper and finding a straight ball up the channel?
Martinelli is not a winger. Wasted out there. We need to build a front line around him more central.
Maybe two up top.
Surprised Freddie hasn’t made more of his bench. Doesn’t look good for him as a manager
Dissenter agreed put Pepe and Lacs on
This is dire…
One can see the quality difference between AMN and Saka. Amn has no confidence nor skill to advance the ball forward.
It’s all half-hearted from Auba, and he’s our captain.
Freddie isn’t even making anyone warm up
Hope Arteta refuses to have him on staff.
Lets get a clean break.
Laca coming
OK! Laca for Nelson, I hope!
Finally…I posted that last comment too soon, tried to stop it but Pedro wanted it more.
No dis we need to keep Freddie he has our dna and knows the kids he will be a good advisor for Mikel
This is utter shit. Everton have been terrible and we can’t be bothered to put them under any pressure. Freddie should be sacked if he wasn’t moving aside. Really poor today.
One can only surmise that Lacazette is considered a problem player. He keeps getting overlooked. Probably being stroppy doesn’t help. Freddie being shite at subs doesn’t help either
Two bang average sides being bang average…
Feel for what Arteta has got coming if the daggers are out for our departing interim manager…..
Good call Marko.
Let Freddie. Let’s play for a tie now.
McManaman says he’s surprised by the substitution. Auba has been shit.
No one putting a shift in, we don’t attack and close down as a team…fucking crap
Freddie showing some favouritism for the youngsters keeping Nelson on. Mikel can’t take over soon enough
Ljungberg in no uncertain terms revealing what he thinks of the some our more senior turnips.
Freddie showing some favouritism for the youngsters keeping Nelson on. Mikel can’t take over soon enough
Probably worked hardest in training.
Auba should have stayed on and Laca should have brought in replacing someone else.
Big Dunc keeping the tradition of replacing a sub with a sub
This league is to physical for Torry. Feel for the lad.
Martinelli wasted out wide.
Everton have the worstpress I’ve seen. We are beating their pressing game so easily.
Same song don’t help he is the size of a pea like the lad as a player though
Reiss Nelson should not be finishing this game
Agree Freddie telling the seniors they’re not up to it.
Ateteta need to sign a handful of players who know a tackle isn’t jus t something you put on the end of a fishing rod.
The biggest weakness in our side is that we cannot actually put a physical foot in to actually win the ball back.
I’m calling it on Nelson, just way too casual And not trying to mature his game. Pepe should have come in, I don’t know what Freddie is trying here
I don’t know how many of you used to listen to Five Live commentary back in the day, when grumpy Alan Green got picked for a scrappy game, but one of his trademark remarks was “Just Awful”
That sums this game up pretty well. The passing from both teams has often been way off the mark.
Much more to come from both teams in the weeks ahead.
Relegation form continues
How Nelson is on remains a mystery. Freddie coming across all OGS with this kids first approach.
There’s an art to blooding youngsters, bombing them all on isn’t what I’d consider artful.
Good call Marko.
15 minutes here zero against City and West Ham…h yeah no he’s definitely not been overlooked recently
TR7
What justifies Auba staying on?
I think Everton misses Iwobi badly. Ha! Ha!
That team selection and subs was not chosen on the best chance of getting 3 points. There was a deliberate favouritism for the young players and a message to seniors. I’m not sure i back that. Arsenal win always comes first.
If Moise Kean scores I will go mental.
Looking on Freddie seems opiniated and Emerysed. We need a break from the old prejudices. To the best if Lundberg is released.
Torreira has been good, just keeping it simple as he should.
Playing out from the back, Chambers booked, awful.
Chambers is shaking his head.
Sorry mate, you’re a footballer, you’re supposed to be able to do simple things like take a touch and pass it on.
You’ll have to explain the sense behind that exchange. Passes between chambers and Luiz, a shit ball to a marked Xhaka and then pure panic from Chambers.
Fucking mental
Just having a chuckle. What else can you do?. It’s 4 days to Christmas.
You’ll have to explain the sense behind that exchange. Passes between chambers and Luiz, a shit ball to a marked Xhaka and then pure panic from Chambers.
Emeryball obviously
Arsenal are architects of their own problems.
Well at least it can’t get any worse under Arteta!!
Pickford is muckkkkkk
Marko
We’ve 1 win in about 20. Freddie “overlooking” whoever is absolutely of no relevance as he’s not a manager, and was overlooked himself as a long term candidate for obvious reasons
Martinelli defends better then some of our defenders. Neither team really deserves the 3 pts.. but I’ d certainly take it. if we get lucky.
More disciplined today.
Painful. Mikel has his work cut out for him.
LT
Nelson has been awful as always. We need a goal here to win 3 points, would rather have taken Nelson off and kept both Auba and Laca.
Martinelli is just another overrated kid who will lose his shine very quickly.
Bin off the senior players. Fill the squad up with inexperience with an inexperienced coach steering them on a journey that will make Arsenal great again.
I laugh at the dumbfvcks in our fanbase.
Truly horrendous quality on display today.
Ancelotti will be sacked within a year, and Arteta has it all to do.
The worse thing has been that we haven’t even looked like we’ve wanted to win the game.
Luiz you twat.