Mikel Arteta did a great job as an Arsenal manager.
But while he is preparing to take the lead in his 200th Premier League match this weekend, what happens next will decide how his reign is remembered. It can become something extraordinary if Arteta delivers a Premier League title or even wins the Champions League trophy.
But Arteta also threatens to spoil the basis that he laid at the Emirates during his five years, because this season could become a backward step. They are great margins. But the best managers deal with that pressure. I would claim that Anfield '89 would never have happened for George Graham's arsenal, unless they had won the semi -final of Littlewood's Cup against Tottenham and had lifted that trophy. The victory of Arsene Wenger in Manchester United played the title race in favor of Arsenal in the Run-in 1998 when the Frenchman won the double.
It's all about trophies and Arteta has only one FA cup on its management CV and that is not enough – despite changing Arsenal of Rans in real title candidates and pillars in the Champions League.
Arteta took over in December 2019 when Arsenal was in a bad place and, after two and a half years, built a team that challenged the title in 2022/23. They went close again in 2023/24.
Arsenal took steps and returned to where the fans think they belong and Arteta made them dream again with a good brand of football and two unexpected title challenges.
So it was no wonder when this season came that quite a few experts supported them to go one step further and to drop Manchester City as champions. It is not planned for various reasons. They spoke two transferers, last summer they signed Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino for a combined £ 75 million when everyone could see that they were screaming for a striker.
Arsenal remained terribly short and after they had not bought in January, they are now forward without a recognized center. Who needs one if you place seven past PSV Eindhoven? Arsenal still does it.
They did not want to buy in January and disrupt their summer plans. That, said in a different way, could sound remarkably arrogant. They naturally consider the title next season, so this campaign goes on the back burner. The fans do not receive a reimbursement at the end of the season.
This summer Arsenal has big plans for a new No. 9, left wing player, midfielder and young players. They will also leave. And next season – on the back of a busy transfer star – Arteta's destination will decide and how he will be reminded.
This season has produced quite a turgid football. It is too much about control, not enough about excitement and spontaneity. Their best hope is set pieces. Yes, they have had injuries. But why are people so naive to call it bad luck?
There is no luck involved when the manager chose a smaller team, he pushes the players hard, never gives them a break and rather brings them to Dubai than giving them at home with families for a few days. No wonder that tired players pull hamstrings. Liverpool -Baas Arne Slot has shown the rest of the Premier League how to rotate and listen to medical staff. That is why they are so far ahead in all respects.
Since the Second World War, Arsenal has never disappeared for so long without winning the title. It will take 21 years this summer. Arteta should be given next season because he did well enough to convince everyone that he can and has brought the good times back.
But it is next season or bust for Arteta. He has been the victim of his own success. His standards have risen – and Arsenal must deliver the biggest trophies.
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