Analysing The Big Arteta Decisions
From standing by Xhaka, to playing Aubameyang down the left, to Signing Mari & Cedric. We take a look at Mikel Arteta's biggest decisions and adjudge whether this is all 'Process or Poppycock'.
By James Bayliss
For many years, Arsenal fans endured managers who didn’t quite seem willing to make the big decisions most felt were needed at the club. Mikel Arteta though, does look like someone who’s trying to push a real culture change - but is he the man to do it?
Arsene Wenger, for all his amazing attributes, didn’t seem the type to put his foot down, yet still often displayed an infuriating stubbornness at times with his on-field approach. Unai Emery was at first a breath of fresh air, switching formations and tactics with every passing game, though eventually his constant chopping and changing began to portray him as a clueless and desperate coach once results declined. But can we trust Mikel to lead a resurgence at the club with Chief Executive Vinai Venkatesham & Technical Director and former Invincible Edu Gaspar?
Aubmayang Down The Left
Quick and easy one for me. Yes, we’ve all screamed for him to play down the middle, and in the long-term, I still believe this suits him best. But with the way Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang performed for most of 2020 on the left-hand side, you’ve got to say Arteta got this one right. His goals at Wembley which led us to an FA Cup and a Community Shield all came because of his very specific deployment down the wing. For what we had in the squad, a good decision!
Verdict: Arteta got it right!
Signing Mari & Cedric
Fans were so quick to criticise the club for giving each player a four-year deal, which does seem a little hefty, but in fairness, every club competing across four competitions requires depth in the squad!
Mari’s injury in June left fans with little knowledge of his true ability, but he’s looked very good since returning against Chelsea & seems a more than capable back-up (or partner?) for Gabriel. Cedric is a strange one because he’s not featured in the Premier League at all despite patchy form at best from his positional rivals, but he has played a very big part in the Europa.
Verdict: Arteta got it right!
The Exclusion Of Ozil, Guendouzi & Sokratis
This one is really tricky. Ozil and Guendouzi’s exclusion happened in June at the beginning of Project Restart, whereas Sokratis was left out in October after the summer transfer window. For me, I think Sokratis’ lack of involvement was the correct decision. There were simply far too many centre-backs for Arteta to consider above Papa so that one is just a bitter pill to swallow, but a necessary one nonetheless.
And with the other two… in truth, you can’t know yet whether the decisions were right or not. Something has clearly happened behind the scenes, though nothing is confirmed. There are rumours & suggestions that the attitude of both Ozil & Guendouzi led to Arteta leaving them out, and there are even suggestions that the decision ultimately came from upstairs, but the boss has sworn that he made these decisions (particularly the Ozil one) for "footballing reasons”, so it’s difficult to know.
If you take Arteta’s quotes at face value, you have to say he’s got this one wrong. Both would currently walk into the Arsenal starting XI, especially at a time where midfield has been our greatest weakness. I’d have kept them both involved in some way, and even if they are to leave in the future, at least their values increase.
Worth noting though that if both players are considered ‘bad eggs’, and the team ultimately improves in the long-term because of their disassociation with the side, then maybe Arteta was spot on all along! Only time will tell.
Verdict: Hard to know, but think Arteta got this one wrong.
The Back Three
At a time where Arsenal looked shaky in defence to say the least, Arteta reverted to a 3-4-3 against Southampton on a trip to the coast, which saw the Gunners steal a surprising 2-0 win. They then went on a really good run with an evolving 3-4-3 formation, which became a 4-3-3 hybrid when in possession. It was unusual, but it brought trophies to the club.
However, it seems Arteta stuck with it a little too long, as all of Arsenal’s natural potency disappeared once the option of a counter-attack was no more. Suddenly when met with a low-block, the team were toothless. Despite this though, he did win two trophies…
Verdict: Arteta got it right!
Summer Signings
Thomas Partey and Gabriel Magalhaes have been excellent additions. The return of Dani Ceballos on loan made complete sense, though Runar Alex Runarsson doesn’t look cut out at this level and Willian (despite arriving on a free), looks completely lost. Some dodgy decisions in there, but overall that’s a very good transfer window.
Verdict: Arteta got it right!
Aubameyang’s New Contract
This is a really tricky one. On the one hand, Aubameyang has been the best player at the club for the past 3 years and absolutely carried this side. On the other, handing a three-year contract to a player in his 30s seems consistent with the previously failed business the club had been doing and should be avoiding.
Ultimately though, the signing of the ting meant Arsenal kept their captain and showed they did have real ambitions, for Auba would never have signed if the club didn’t guarantee a real overhaul and serious investment.
Verdict: Arteta got it right!
Leno > Martinez
Emi Martinez has been so impressive for both Arsenal and now Aston Villa since his call-up to first-team action in June. Bernd Leno was Arsenal’s Player Of The Year before the injury, and so that left the club with a serious decision on what to do with both goalkeepers come the transfer window.
In the end, selling the Argentine stopper for £20m to Villa was very good business considering he was a back-up goalkeeper. It was always going to be a shame to lose one, but I have very few complaints here.
Verdict: Arteta got it right!
Saliba’s Development
William Saliba arrived at the club with huge expectations, but the signing of Gabriel, as well as the lack of centre-back sales, suggested it might be a while before we see Saliba in competitive first-team action… the wait continues.
Arteta has cited the young Frenchman’s personal problems as well his presumption that other centre-backs would be available, as the reasons why Saliba hasn’t had any involvement with the first team, not in Europa nor domestically.
He now looks set for a loan move and you have to say, if Arteta could go back in time, he may do things very differently with Wilo.
Verdict: Arteta got it wrong…
Standing By Xhaka
Ah, Granit Xhaka. No player divides opinion quite like him. After he threw his armband to a chorus of boos at the Emirates, the Swiss international seemed reborn under Arteta, playing a key part in Arsenal’s FA Cup triumph. Since then, Xhaka’s briefly returned to his old ways, ultimately looking a little ineffective, committing regular fouls, and being sent off for a rush of blood to the head.
Arteta has once again stood by his man and brought him straight back into the starting XI, where he was crucial to beating Chelsea 3-1 and getting an away win against Brighton too. However, I’m yet to be convinced that this particular leopard can change its spots for good.
Verdict: For now Arteta got it right!
Playing The Kids
When the senior plays let you down so frequently, as a fan you reach the stage where you’d rather just be let down by players who seem to give a s**t, and the Hale End-ers certainly do.
Illness to Willian and injury to Aubemayang may have forced the introduction of Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli (who only recently just returned from injury himself), but their combinations with starboy Bukayo Saka have given Arsenal a real edge in recent games, something they’ve lacked all season.
Forced or not, late or not, the introduction of this group as the main creative spark of the side is proving to be a really smart move from the boss.
Verdict: Arteta got it right!
What a year it’s been for Mikel. It was always a big job to take on, but the pandemic has definitely thrown a few hurdles no one could have anticipated. Despite some huge decisions landing on his office table, overall I feel Arteta has dealt with the events of last year well.
Let’s now just wait and see if we reap the long-term benefits of it all!
