The Arteta Effect: How Arsenal’s Maligned Manager Sparked a Revival.

When Mikel Arteta was appointed Arsenal manager in December 2019, many fans and pundits doubted whether the rookie boss was ready to take the reins of a 'big six' English club.

Having served as assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, Arteta lacked managerial experience.

However, in the ensuing years, Arteta has defied the skeptics and sparked a revival at Arsenal.

After a rocky start, he now has the Gunners atop the Premier League table playing an attractive brand of football. Examining Arteta's path reveals how he transformed Arsenal's environment and playing identity.

In light of Arsenal's success this season, Arteta has emerged as a potential candidate to take over his former club Barcelona once Xavi departs. As a former Barça midfielder, Arteta represents both a logical choice yet also one that could be risky given his inexperience.

Early Struggles

Arteta took charge mid-season with Arsenal floundering in 10th place. Performances were uninspiring and the squad culture had decayed. High-profile players like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were proving disruptive [1].

Given this turmoil, many predicted a new manager bounce under Arteta. But early results were underwhelming, with Arsenal finishing 8th. There were some positives - improved defensive structure and FA Cup success. But the team struggled to create chances or control matches.

Some critics argued Arteta's Guardiola style was ill-suited to the Arsenal squad. The patient positional play approach seemed at odds with Arsenal’s trademark pace and power [2]. Many fans called for Arteta's sacking as the team lost 3 consecutive home matches in late 2020 [3].

Building From the Back

Yet Arteta remained committed to instituting what he calls his "game model" built on positional play out from the back [4]. He rigorously drilled players on building attacks with crisp passing through midfield. This meant switching from a back three to his favored 4-3-3 system.

This approach stemmed from Arteta's time as Guardiola's right-hand man at Manchester City. He saw firsthand how Guardiola's exhaustive coaching imprinted a clear playing philosophy [5]. Possession and positional awareness were non-negotiable pillars.

"Pep has incredible charisma, but above all he is a master at teaching footballers," says Arteta. "My biggest lesson was seeing how he united a team around an idea" [6]. Arteta sought to bring this cerebral, collaborative approach to Arsenal.

His education under Guardiola made Arteta seem destined to manage Barcelona one day, given their shared stylistic principles. But Arteta still lacked experience to take the hotseat at such a massive club straight away.

Phase of Transition

The 2020-21 season proved a frustrating phase of transition. Arsenal again finished 8th and struggled to control matches. But Arteta used this period to foster belief in his process. He made tough decisions, exiling high-profile dissenters like Mesut Ozil [7].

Arteta was shaping a squad fully committed to his schema. His demanding training sessions drilled positional discipline and structured buildup play [8]. Patterns of play were rehearsed meticulously to make Arteta's automatisms second nature [9].

Most crucially, Arteta forged a strong connection with his young players. Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe responded positively to Arteta's coaching and leadership. His teachings on spacing and decision-making accelerated their development [10].

"We are undergoing a process - and we are in the middle of that process," said Arteta. "I can feel how much we are changing" [11]. The fruits of Arteta's labor were soon to flourish.

Fruitful 2022-23

This season has seen Arsenal transformed into title contenders at last. The team's commitment to Arteta's philosophy is paying dividends. Their possession play is intelligent, progressive and expansive. Arsenal's attacking talent is now maximized by tactical cohesion.

Martin Odegaard has become the perfect conductor in midfield, directing play like Arteta did under Wenger. The inverted fullbacks and advanced 8's fit perfectly into Arsenal's system [12]. Upfront, Gabriel Jesus instills work rate and technical quality through the middle.

Arsenal's players are fulfilling specific roles, but with flexibility to exchange positions and probe. Their positional play pulls opponents apart ruthlessly [13]. Arsenal utilise the flanks before combining around the box - all moves straight from the training ground.

Arteta has cultivated an environment for Arsenal's young talent to thrive. Players have clearly bought into his meticulous coaching style. "We completely understand his game model - we are a real team now" says Odegaard [14].

The results speak for themselves. After five successful years learning under Guardiola, Arteta has brought his own vision to life in North London. The revival has cemented his status as an elite coaching prospect.

Adapting from Pep

Yet Arteta's approach is not simply a Guardiola imitation. He has adapted core principles to Arsenal's personnel and strengths. Their play has clearer vertical intent, getting Odegaard and wide forwards running behind defenses [15].

Fullbacks like Zinchenko get very advanced to provide crossing outlets. Arsenal also counterpresses ferociously after losing possession. Arteta modified his tutor's methods to maximize Arsenal's pace and energy.

"I learned so much from Pep, but you have to craft your own leadership style and identity as a coach," notes Arteta [16]. This willingness to evolve, rather than rigidly copying his mentor, demonstrates Arteta's astute nature and education under Wenger.

The Arsenal Standard

At its core, Arteta seeks to bring back a commitment to stylish football at Arsenal. He is trying to revive the "Arsenal way" fostered under Wenger. Fans have longed to see Arsenal playing with flair, dominating possession, and elevating technically-gifted players.

"Our aim is to play exciting football based on the Arsenal football we’ve grown to love over generations. It’s non-negotiable. Our identity is about passion but also creativity" says Arteta [17].

There is a renewed sense of identity evident in Arsenal's play this season. They exude confidence and belief in their philosophy. Arteta has extracted the best from his young squad by implementing a clear plan. His vision is coming to fruition.

The similarities between Arteta's footballing principles and those ingrained at Barcelona have led to natural speculation. After learning from Guardiola and excelling at Arsenal, Arteta seems poised to complete the cycle by returning to Catalonia.

Song of the People

Before matches at the Emirates, the vocals of grime rapper Novelist now echo around the stadium on the track 'North London Forever'. It acts as Arsenal's anthem, evoking the passion and local spirit Arteta wants to harness.

The song's lyrics reference past Gunners greats and triumphs alongside visions of future glory [18]. Most poignantly, it connects with supporters through references only true Gooners will understand.

By adopting it as their pre-match ritual, Arsenal signal that they represent the fans' hopes and dreams.

Under Arteta, it symbolizes a team united with the community in pursuit of their shared ambition.

When quizzed on why he chose the track as Arsenal's anthem, Arteta said "It resonates so deeply because it embodies the soul of this club. When I heard it, I instantly knew: that's my team" [19]. Forging that visceral connection to Arsenal's identity is central to Arteta's project.

Humble and Hungry

Yet despite sitting top of the Premier League over Christmas, Arteta is far from satisfied. The boss wants much more from his young squad. He expects to see Arsenal's mentality and maturity grow with sustained success.

"We need to walk through that door and not get complacent" Arteta emphasizes [20]. Recalling Arsenal's great sides of the past, he wants to restore their culture of perpetual hunger and humility. The ability to handle pressure and expectation will be telling.

Equally, Arteta knows the season is long and there will be difficult moments ahead. Arsenal must demonstrate resilience and faith when things get tough.

"Stick together - we will need special moments this season" says their focused manager [21]. Ever the student of Guardiola, Arteta is aware tough spells test the mental fortitude built through his demanding methods.

The Road Ahead

Can Arsenal now last the course and achieve their ultimate goal of Premier League glory? Nothing is guaranteed, but the Arteta effect has undoubtedly transformed the mood in North London. He now has Arsenal playing a brand of football not seen since Wenger's glory days.

With the tireless Arteta at the helm, this young squad will continue improving and internalizing his world-class coaching. The process may have been slower than hoped, but Arteta's Arsenal rebuild is reaping rewards.

After weathering early criticism, Arteta's Gunners now have an opportunity to create history and forge a new era. Bolstered by the support heard in 'North London Forever', Arsenal finally seem ready to reclaim their place at England's top table.

The question now is how long Arteta remains at Arsenal's helm. His success in instilling a positive culture and attractive style of play has put him on Barcelona's radar.

With Xavi potentially moving on in 2023, Arteta has been highlighted as a leading candidate given his links to the club and coaching education under Guardiola. Having played at Barça from 2011-2016, the lure of guiding his former side may prove too tempting.

Arteta would face big challenges – the Barcelona squad needs an overhaul and the finances are concerning. But his commitment to exciting, technical football makes him an ideal long-term choice in the eyes of many fans.

After honing his craft at Arsenal, Arteta seems ready for an opportunity at the top level of European football. While Gunners’ supporters will hope he remains to build on the progress made, the prospect of managing global giant Barcelona may be impossible to pass up.

The next 12 months seem likely to shape Arteta’s managerial career. Will he depart Arsenal to complete his homecoming at a rebuilding Barcelona? Or continue perfecting his “game model” in North London and elevate the Gunners back to the elite? The football world eagerly awaits his next move.

Whatever unfolds, Mikel Arteta has shown himself an impressive young manager capable of executing a defined playing philosophy. His work revamping Arsenal's environment and style of play points towards a bright future as he reaches the next stage of his journey.