The resurgence of Mikel Arteta

A resounding 5-0. That was the result that set off all the alarms at Arsenal. It was only the third day of the Premier League and the ‘gunner’ team had already hit rock bottom when they fell against the reigning champions, Manchester City, in a match that revealed all the shortcomings of Mikel Arteta’s team. Last with zero points. Zero goals scored, 9 conceded. A disaster that had not been repeated since 1954.

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That happened on August 28 and prompted an immediate response from the club in the form of an ultimatum: either Arteta reversed the situation or went to the streets. The confidence margin was only five games, but the Gipuzkoan managed to change the dynamics of a dying team and in just a few months Arsenal once again rub shoulders with the best.

Since that duel against City, the ‘gunner’ team has not lost again, linking a streak of 6 wins and 2 draws that has catapulted them to fifth place, just two points behind Liverpool, their rival this Saturday. If they win today, Arsenal would be placed in Champions territory, privileged positions that they had not enjoyed since the beginning of last season.

Arsenal’s resurgence began with two dim wins against Norwich and Burnley, but the North London derby -3-1 against Tottenham- cleared up all the doubts of the team, which despite stumbling against Brighton (0-0) and Crystal Palace (2-2) arrives thrown at Anfield after chaining three consecutive victories.

“It’s a great feeling, it means we had a good run and we won games. But for me it’s much more than that. It’s about the people involved. The level of trust, involvement and passion they show working alongside me every day, that gives me the strength. And then the faith in the players that they are good enough to win games, “said Arteta after being named best coach in the Premier in September.

After a few years of gloom, Arsenal seem ready to fight again for greater heights. Last year it was left without entering European competition, but Arteta has managed to lay a foundation with which the team can compete in its quest to regain its greatness.

Putting hard work aside, one of the Spanish manager’s hallmarks, Arsenal have been able to grow by trusting in their young talents and by locking down their goal. After the defeats against Brentford (2-0), Chelsea (0-2) and City (5-0) at the start of the season, the Gunners have only conceded four more goals. Or what is the same, they have managed to leave a clean sheet in four games.

Great responsible for this is also the change produced in the goal. Aaron Ramsdale took over the title after the debacle against City and with him Arsenal has not stopped growing. The young Englishman, signed this summer in exchange for 28 million euros, has stopped 25 of the 29 shots on goal he has received and has allowed the team to carry out its matches.

Also in Copa

The improvement of Arsenal has also been reinforced in the League Cup, where the ‘Gunners’ have managed to stand in the quarter-finals by passing three rounds in a pristine way. They beat West Bromwich 0-6, then Wimbledon 3-0 and beat Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds 2-0.

It has cost Mikel Arteta blood, sweat and tears to make Arsenal resurface, but his team, in addition to a future with Saka, Smith Rowe or Odegaard, is also present.

Arsenal results in the Premier League

1. Brentford-ARS 2-0
2. ARS-Chelsea 0-2
3. ManCity-ARS 5-0
4. ARS-Norwich 1-0
5. Burnley-ARS 0-1
6. ARS-Tottenham 3-1
7. Brighton-ARS 0-0
8. ARS-Crystal Palace 2-2
9. ARS-Aston Villa 3-1
10. Leicester-ARS 0-2
11. Arsenal-Watford 1-0