5 reasons for Arsenal fans to be optimistic about Mikel Arteta

Catch the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal podcast right here</a></h2> <p>Here are five reasons to be optimistic about the appointment.</p> <div id="attachment_75522" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-75522" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2018/05/17/arsenal-5-reasons-optimistic-mikel-arteta-appointment/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F458396736-850x560.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Mikel Arteta" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 04: Mikel Arteta of Arsenal celebrates as he scores their first goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League Group D match between Arsenal FC and RSC Anderlecht at Emirates Stadium on November 4, 2014 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h3><strong>5. He’s up for the challenge</strong></h3> <p>One of the darkest phases at Arsenal in recent times was back in 2011, during the aftermath of that infamous 8-2 defeat against Manchester United.</p> <p>The club was just one place above relegation, failing to win their opening three fixtures, and to make matters worse, had just lost Cesc Fabregas, who was the best player in the squad by some distance and had perhaps papered over some rather significant cracks.</p> <p>Arsenal did not have the funds to go out and buy a top replacement as the club was in debt to pay off the Emirates stadium loan. So, on deadline day, the Gunners signed Mikel Arteta for a reported fee in the region of £10 million. He filled in admirably well and finished with six goals and two assists, making 29 appearances and helping the club finish 3rd. He was up for the challenge of succeeding a legend on that occasion. Why not again?</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2018/05/17/arsenal-5-reasons-optimistic-mikel-arteta-appointment/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 4. Leadership </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_75523" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-75523" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2018/05/17/arsenal-5-reasons-optimistic-mikel-arteta-appointment/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F482041890-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 26: Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal captain raises the trophy after their victory during the Emirates Cup match between Arsenal and VfL Wolfsburg at the Emirates Stadium on July 26, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h3><b>4. Leadership</b></h3> <p>One thing that is important to note, right from his early years in north London, is Arteta was always renowned for his leadership qualities. He was made captain for an FA Cup third-round tie in his very first season. The next season, he was subsequently made vice-captain, and following the departure of Thomas Vermaelen in 2014, Arteta was named as club captain.</p> <p>In a space of three years, he became Arsenal’s captain, enough evidence of his leadership quality. And this is what Wenger said about Arteta’s leadership,<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2018/05/17/arsenal-5-reasons-optimistic-mikel-arteta-appointment/3/"https://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-arteta-is-our-technical-leader"> speaking to the club’s official website</a>:</p> <blockquote class="left ampstart-">“He is very influential and he’s a leader – one of the leaders of the team and he’s a technical leader as well.” </blockquote> <p>He was someone his teammates looked up to, was a supportive and encouraging figure even as his playing time decreased, and always looked for the best in others through his character.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2018/05/17/arsenal-5-reasons-optimistic-mikel-arteta-appointment/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 3. Intelligence </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_75524" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-75524" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2018/05/17/arsenal-5-reasons-optimistic-mikel-arteta-appointment/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F515689240-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">ST ALBANS, ENGLAND – MARCH 15: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal speaks with Mikel Arteta and Gabriel Paulista of Arsenal during a training session ahead of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Barcelona and Arsenal at London Colney on March 15, 2016 in St Albans, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h3><strong>3. Intelligence</strong></h3> <p>One of the most important qualities of a footballer is to adapt over time. Mikel Arteta epitomes that.</p> <div class="recent-posts "> <h4>More from <b>Pain in the Arsenal</b></h4> <ul> <li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2018/05/17/arsenal-5-reasons-optimistic-mikel-arteta-appointment/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/arsenal-interest-miguel-gutierrez-girona/"> Fabrizio Romano confirms Arsenal interest in Girona star </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2018/05/17/arsenal-5-reasons-optimistic-mikel-arteta-appointment/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/when-will-martin-odegaard-return-from-his-injury/"> When will Martin Odegaard return from his injury? </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2018/05/17/arsenal-5-reasons-optimistic-mikel-arteta-appointment/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/2-midfielders-arsenal-could-sign-in-january-transfer-window/"> 2 midfielders Arsenal could sign in January transfer window </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2018/05/17/arsenal-5-reasons-optimistic-mikel-arteta-appointment/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/thomas-partey-unlikely-to-play-for-arsenal-again-in-2023/"> Thomas Partey unlikely to play for Arsenal again in 2023 </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2018/05/17/arsenal-5-reasons-optimistic-mikel-arteta-appointment/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/predicted-arsenal-lineup-vs-burnley-saka-fit-to-start/"> Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Burnley: Saka fit to start? </a> </li></ul> </div> <p>He has played in a variety of roles, starting his career as a play-making winger, before moving into a more central, attacking-midfield position, then subsequently slipping deeper into a more traditional central midfield role, before finally ending his career as Arsenal’s midfield anchorman, despite not having the natural height and strength to play there.</p> <p>His reading of the game is his biggest strength. He was an excellent interceptor of passes, he would position himself wonderfully, even if sometimes his natural lack of athleticism would harm his efficacy, and he was consistently communicating with those around him.</p> <p>He was also called ‘coach’ by many of the players during his latter years at the club due to his astute tactical knowledge and input in training sessions. He was an extremely intelligent player, and that has seemingly translated to his coaching.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2018/05/17/arsenal-5-reasons-optimistic-mikel-arteta-appointment/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 4. Reputation with other coaches </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_75386" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-75386" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2018/05/17/arsenal-5-reasons-optimistic-mikel-arteta-appointment/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F956629650-850x560.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Mikel Arteta" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 09: Mikel Arteta and Josep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Brighton and Hove Albion at Etihad Stadium on May 9, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h3><strong>4. Reputation with other coaches</strong></h3> <p>Arteta is held in extremely high esteem with big-name coaches such as Arsene Wenger, Pep Guardiola and Mauricio Pochettino.</p> <p>Wenger has himself said that Arteta has it all to be a top coach, publicly backing him for the role in an interview with <em>BEIN Sports</em> this week, and Guardiola was desperate for Arteta to become his assistant, and Pochettino was surprised that Arteta did not go straight into senior management when he retired from playing two years ago</p> <p>He has the endorsement of some of the biggest coaches who have worked with him in the past. He’s had a rare insight into some of the brightest minds in the history of the game and they respect his input. That is quite the endorsement for any resume.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2018/05/17/arsenal-5-reasons-optimistic-mikel-arteta-appointment/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 1. Philosophy </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_44067" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-44067" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2018/05/17/arsenal-5-reasons-optimistic-mikel-arteta-appointment/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F06%2F531581710-arsenal-v-aston-villa-premier-league-850x560.jpg" alt="Arsenal, Mikel Arteta" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – MAY 15: Mikel Arteta of Arsenal applauds supporters after the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium on May 15, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h3>1. Philosophy</h3> <p>While Mikel Arteta hasn’t managed a game thus far, he has had experience being the assistant coach to arguably the best coach in the world – Pep Guardiola. Arteta is said to have played a major role in helping the likes of Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane improve on their finishing, for instance. And Guardiola has heaped huge praise on Arteta’s influence at Manchester City too.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia"> <div id="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-position="slideshow_inline" data-slot="inline_75507" style="width:300px;margin: 0 auto;"> <script> googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.defineSlot("/175840252/fansided.com/PainintheArsenal/mpu",[300, 250], "minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet") .addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.enableServices(); googletag.display("minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet"); }); </script> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>But what does Arteta say about his own footballing values? Well, Arteta was asked by Arsenal in his playing days at the club about his philosophy. <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2018/05/17/arsenal-5-reasons-optimistic-mikel-arteta-appointment/3/"https://www.arsenal.com/news/features/20150325/-my-dream-was-to-play-for-arsenal-">This is what he had to say</a>:</p> <blockquote class="left ampstart-">“I will have everyone 120 percent committed, that’s the first thing. If not, you don’t play for me. When it’s time to work it’s time to work, and when it’s time to have fun then I’m the first one to do it, but that commitment is vital. Then I want the football to be expressive, entertaining. I cannot have a concept of football where everything is based on the opposition. We have to dictate the game, we have to be the ones taking the initiative, and we have to entertain the people coming to watch us. I’m 100 percent convinced of those things, and I think I could do it.”</blockquote> <p>This fits right into the Arsenal mould. And with a few tweaks in certain areas, there is no reason to think that he cannot get Arsenal challenging again.</p> <div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2018/05/17/arsenal-5-reasons-optimistic-mikel-arteta-appointment/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2015/11/28/30-greatest-arsenal-players/">