Arteta and Arsenal: Marching to the League, Finally?

 

Upon retirement, Mikel Arteta had three clear options. He was offered the chance to lead the Arsenal Academy by Arsène Wenger, to join Mauricio Pochettino’s backroom staff at Tottenham Hotspur, or to become part of Pep Guardiola’s coaching team at Manchester City. On 3 July 2016, Arteta chose the latter and was appointed assistant coach at Manchester City, working alongside Brian Kidd and Domènec Torrent as deputies to Guardiola.

When Arsenal appointed Arteta on 20 December 2019, signing him to a deal reportedly worth over £10 million, very little was known about his credentials as a head coach beyond his assistant role under Pep Guardiola. To many observers, it felt like a bold gamble. To Arsenal, it was a long-term vision — one that is now beginning to look justified.

From Doubt to Belief

If Mikel Arteta has no fan left on earth, then it means only one thing: @EBL2017 is no longer alive. When I first came across his page years ago, I honestly thought it was just another Arsenal fan account in disguise. But a closer look revealed something else entirely, clarity of thought, tactical awareness, and genuine football intelligence. That was when my belief fully formed: Mikel Arteta is not an ordinary coach. He is an elite one.

Elite not because of trophies alone, but because of process, patience, and progression. The kind of coach who understands that greatness is built, not rushed.

Twenty Years of Waiting

This season marks exactly 20 years since Arsenal last won the Premier League. Two decades filled with transformation, heartbreak, and near misses.

- Wenger’s final years were marked by declining competitiveness

- The Emirates Stadium era demanded financial sacrifice

- Short-term managerial experiments followed

- Identity was lost

-What Arsenal lacked most was direction. Arteta restored it.

Stability: Arsenal’s Most Underrated Advantage

Football rewards stability more than it rewards noise. Since Arteta’s appointment, Arsenal have enjoyed something rare in modern football: managerial continuity.

Nearly six years under one coach has allowed:

- A consistent recruitment strategy

- A defined tactical identity

- Cultural reset within the squad

- Clear pathways for young players

Stability has turned Arsenal from a reactive club into a proactive one.

Progress Measured in Numbers

The evolution under Arteta is visible in results.

- 2022/23: 2nd place, 84 points

- 2023/24: 2nd place, 89 points (club record without winning the league)

That upward trajectory matters. Across the 2023 and 2024 calendar years, Arsenal accumulated one of the highest Premier League points totals, consistently matching or exceeding traditional champions. This level of consistency over multiple seasons is rarely accidental — it is a marker of title readiness.

Defensively, Arsenal have ranked among the best two sides in goals conceded across recent campaigns. They also feature among the league’s top teams for:

- Fewest shots conceded

- Defensive duels won

- Pressing efficiency

This is control, not coincidence.

The First Statement: FA Cup 2020

Arteta’s 2020 FA Cup triumph deserves deeper appreciation. Within months of taking over, Arsenal defeated Manchester City and Chelsea using tactical discipline and courage. That victory was not about flair — it was about structure.

It proved three things:

1. Arteta could outthink elite managers

2. Players trusted his ideas

3. Arsenal could compete again

That trophy bought time — and Arteta invested it wisely.

Recruitment with Intent, Not Ego

Yes, Arsenal have spent money. But spending is not the same as waste.

Arteta’s recruitment strategy prioritises:

- Tactical intelligence

- Versatility

- Mentality

- Team balance

While the striker position has not always delivered the expected returns, most signings have elevated the squad. Each piece fits a broader plan rather than individual stardom.

Tactical Evolution: Beyond Guardiola

Many assumed Arteta would replicate Guardiola’s obsession with dominance and possession. Instead, Arteta evolved.

His Arsenal side blends:

- Guardiola’s positional discipline

- Mourinho’s pragmatism

- Relentless attention to detail

A clear example came against Aston Villa. Villa’s diamond press — widely used at elite level — was expected to disrupt Arsenal’s build-up. Instead, Arsenal bypassed it with ease.

The double pivot stayed deep.

Centre-backs split wide.

This stretched Villa horizontally, narrowing their press and forcing them to cover excessive ground. It was not improvisation — it was preparation. A classic Mourinho-era antidote applied with modern structure.

Mental Growth and Leadership

Perhaps the most overlooked aspect of Arsenal’s rise is mentality. Over the past two seasons, they have:

- Recovered from setbacks quicker

- Maintained title pressure late into seasons

- Avoided collapses that defined previous eras

This is the difference between challengers and winners.

Why This Season Feels Different

This belief is not emotional. It is logical.

Arsenal now have:

- Tactical maturity

- Defensive solidity

- Proven title contention

- High point accumulation over multiple seasons

- A squad conditioned for pressure

This does not feel like “almost.”

It feels like now.

Arteta is no longer learning.

He is executing.

Conclusion

For the first time in two decades, Arsenal are not chasing history — they are positioned to reclaim it. Consistency has laid the foundation. Maturity has shaped the process. If football rewards patience, then Arsenal’s moment may finally have arrived.

Disclaimer:

This article reflects the personal opinion of the blog author, informed by observation, statistics, and recent trends. Readers are encouraged to agree or disagree — with reason — in the comment section.

Habeeb Kuti

Sources:

Premier League official statistics

Opta (via Sky Sports and The Athletic)