New Delhi: Mikel Arteta’s journey at Arsenal has been one of transformation, challenges, and steady progression. Five years ago, Arteta was handed the daunting task of rebuilding a club in crisis, following the departure of Unai Emery. At that time Arsenal were languishing in mid-table and Arteta, who had never managed a team at the highest level accepted the challenging task. After five years he admitted that he felt “terrified” as he stepped into the spotlight. Despite the initial fears and uncertainties his resolve to bring success to the club and restore its competitive edge was unwavering.
Over the course of his 257 games in charge, Arteta has led Arsenal through some of their most significant highs and lows, culminating in a team that now stands as a legitimate contender for the Premier League title. From winning the FA Cup in his first season to challenging Manchester City’s dominance in the league Arteta’s tenure has been marked by key moments that have shaped his philosophy and vision for the club.
Five years ago today Mikel Arteta was announced as the Arsenal manager.
Five years on and the club is in the best position it’s been in, in the last decade.
The next five years are going to be even better with Mikel Arteta being the man to lead us to major trophies, I have no… pic.twitter.com/WIhenAMdCJ
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) December 20, 2024
The 42-year-old Spaniard’s ability to instigate a radical squad overhaul, coupled with his tactical skills has not only revived the Gunners’ fortunes but also instilled a winning culture that was previously missing. As Arteta celebrates his five-year milestone at the helm it’s the perfect moment to reflect on the five key moments that have defined his time as Arsenal’s manager.
FA Cup triumph
Delivering silverware to a club that was struggling with a lack of success within the first nine months into the job was the only thing that could justify the early work of a new manager. The Gunners’ victory at Wembley three years later felt like a hopeful sign for the future while Arsenal’s victory in 2017 seemed like Arsene Wenger’s final flourish.
Unai Emery came as Wenger’s successor but was unable to stop Arsenal’s decline as a team during Wenger’s latter years. By establishing a framework and discipline, Arteta started to turn the tide around and became the first Arsenal manager to win a major trophy in their first season in management since George Graham in 1986–87.
They defeated Chelsea in the final after defeating Manchester City in the semifinal. They had four shots throughout the entire game, had 30% of the possession, and defeated City 2-0. In their 2-1 victory over Chelsea, they had 41% of the possession, three shots on target, and two goals scored by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sealed the FA Cup victory.
This is just a quick reminder, Mikel Arteta has won the FA Cup as an Arsenal player and an Arsenal manager! 😩❤️ pic.twitter.com/ZcwukJXQFQ
— Selorm (@selormafc) February 27, 2023
Shipping out Mesut Ozil out of Arsenal
One of the most defining moments of Mikel Arteta’s early tenure at Arsenal came when he made the bold decision to cut ties with Mesut Ozil who was considered the jewel of the squad. Despite arriving at the club in 2013 for a club-record fee of £42.4 million, Ozil’s career at Arsenal became increasingly stressed under Arteta’s leadership. The 42-year-old’s drive to change the culture at the club meant questioning the commitment and desire of several senior players, and Ozil, despite his undeniable talent, became one of the first to feel the brunt of this shift.
The decision to send Ozil packing was not a simple one. The German playmaker was one of the club’s highest-paid players earning £350,000 a week, and his departure represented a costly move for Arsenal. Arteta’s decision to cut him from the squad ultimately led to the termination of his contract was a signal of his willingness to make tough calls for the good of the team.
The financial implications were significant with Ozil receiving a reported 90% of the £7 million owed to him under his contract but Arteta’s faith in his judgement was clear. For the club’s owners particularly Kroenke Sports Enterprises this move was a difficult one but it reinforced their commitment to supporting Arteta’s vision and leadership as he sought to build a squad aligned with his ethos.
Turned early struggles into title contention
In 2021-22 season, Mikel Arteta’s early months at Arsenal were fraught with challenges, ending August with a humiliating 5-0 loss to Manchester City, and for the first time in the club’s history, Gunners lost their opening three matches without scoring a single goal. It seemed as though Arteta’s project was on the verge of collapse but rather than retreating the Spaniard doubled down on his commitment to transforming the squad and club culture.
Amidst the early struggles, Arteta made bold moves in the transfer market bringing in key players to shape the future of the team. Midfielder Martin Odegaard arrived from Real Madrid for £30m alongside defender Ben White and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale as Arsenal shifted towards a policy of acquiring promising young talent. Arteta even convinced set-piece coach Nicolas Jover to join from Manchester City, a decision that paid off as Arsenal became the Premier League’s most prolific team from corners. By the end of 2021, Arsenal had spent more than any other Premier League club, signaling their belief in Arteta’s long-term vision.
It’s been 𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄 years since Mikel Arteta took over an Arsenal side in complete disarray.
Today:
▫️ They’re a Champions League club again
▫️ They’ve challenged for the league the last two seasons
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 20, 2024
Despite narrowly missing out on Champions League qualification in 2022, Arteta’s resolve remained unshaken. The following summer he strengthened the squad further with the additions of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City, players whom City was willing to let go, not viewing Arsenal as a serious threat. However, Arteta’s tactical brilliance combined with the explosive development of Bukayo Saka and Odegaard into two of the league’s brightest stars saw the Gunners rise as serious title contenders.
Their remarkable form in the 2022-23 season marked by winning 22 of their first 27 games firmly established Arsenal not only as top-four contenders but as Manchester City’s primary rivals for the Premier League crown.
Arteta’s ruthless leadership
Mikel Arteta’s decision to strip Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of the Arsenal captaincy exemplified his no-nonsense approach to discipline and accountability. Although Aubameyang had been a key figure for Arsenal and Arteta had successfully persuaded him to sign a new contract just 18 months prior and yet, in front of the “All or Nothing” documentary cameras he stripped him of the captaincy. The relationship began to unravel further between the two due to a series of disciplinary issues.
While there was no single confrontation that led to the captaincy being revoked, a pattern of unprofessional behavior emerged. The final straw came when Aubameyang returned late from a club-approved trip to visit his mother further compounding earlier incidents such as missing a COVID-19 test before a Europa League match, defying strict social distancing rules to get a tattoo and arriving late to a team meeting before a crucial north London derby against Tottenham.
Arteta addressed all these issues earlier ultimately leading to the decision to drop him from the squad. Aubameyang was then sent to train away from the first-team group, and just months later his contract was mutually terminated allowing him to join Barcelona on a free transfer.
Arteta’s landmark victories
Mikel Arteta inherited a challenging record at Arsenal, particularly against the Premier League’s top sides and Gunners arch-rivals. During his early years, Arsenal struggled to secure victories in crucial fixtures but Arteta gradually turned things around. In November 2020, the Gunners won at Manchester United for the first time in 14 years, followed by a victory at Stamford Bridge in May 2021, ending a decade-long winless streak. In January 2023, they triumphed at Tottenham for the first time in eight years signaling a shift in their fortunes and presenting themselves as contenders.
However, Arsenal’s struggles against Manchester City continued with Arteta’s side often being overpowered by Guardiola’s team. But in October 2023, the Spaniard’s tactical progress culminated in a landmark victory over City at Emirates Stadium. This victory marked a significant milestone in Arteta’s tenure, showcasing how far Arsenal had come under his leadership.
Commitment. Accountability. Passion.
Five incredible years of Mikel Arteta – here’s to many more memorable moments ❤️ pic.twitter.com/0nSzavPTsZ
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 20, 2024
Arsenal’s performances in the second half of last season were impressive with the Gunners losing only one league game. However, their 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa at home proved costly as it handed Man City the title despite Arteta’s side’s remarkable run. However, Arsenal made a comeback in the Champions League after a six-year absence, but unfortunately, just days after the Villa defeat they were also knocked out by Bayern Munich in the competition, further highlighting the need for attacking reinforcements in the summer.
Arteta has had a truly impactful journey at Arsenal, transitioning from former captain to manager, showcasing his passion for the club. Reflecting on his journey, Arteta remains focused on the future, acknowledging the progress made while looking ahead to even greater challenges. He expressed his ambition to continue evolving and leading Arsenal to new heights, stating, “I’m grateful to be in the position I am in. I have a lot to learn and improve. The best is yet to come.”
Discover Mikel Arteta’s impactful journey at Arsenal, from FA Cup glory to title contention, bold decisions, and tactical brilliance shaping the Gunners’ future. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
