How has Mikel Arteta managed to turn the season around?
How has Mikel Arteta managed to turn the season around?
By Peter White
Any claims that Arsenal’s resurgence was over after last weekend’s FA Cup exit were quickly quashed by Mikel Arteta and his team, with Tuesday’s 3-1 win at Southampton a timely reminder of how far they have come in such a short space of time.
A much-changed XI had seen their FA Cup defence fall 1-0 with barely a whimper at St Mary’s three days earlier, but back at the same venue against the same opposition, league duties were taken care of with aplomb.
Stuart Armstrong set the haters loose by putting the Saints in front early on but strikes from impressive pair Nicolas Pepe and Bukayo Saka gave the Gunners a slender lead at the break.
Alexandre Lacazette notched his tenth goal of the season in all competitions to seal Arsenal’s fifth win in six Premier League games, leaving them just five points off the top four ahead of Wednesday night’s fixtures.
Such a hot streak is certainly a far cry from where the north Londoners were just a matter of weeks ago, with fans having been looking over their shoulder at the relegation spots at one point.
Indeed, only Manchester City have won more points and conceded fewer goals than Arsenal since Boxing Day, a run that has elevated them from 15th shortly before Christmas to within reach of a European place.
A march into next year’s continental competition is no doubt the target for Arteta, who recently said: “Things are moving really quickly at the moment, so we have to focus on the next game, win it and we’ll be closer to any objective, that’s for sure.
“Every game is decisive, every Premier League game is really complicated. We know we have some complicated fixtures ahead of us and this is the challenge.”
High hopes around the Emirates have been boosted further by the arrival of Real Madrid star Martin Odegaard on loan until the end of the season, with all signs seemingly pointing towards a strong end to 2020/21.
While Arteta steered Arsenal to FA Cup and Community Shield success last summer, genuine questions can be asked about how the Spaniard has managed to pick up the pieces in such emphatic fashion after a turgid start to the current campaign.
Here, we consider some of the main ingredients of Arsenal’s turnaround, which has seen them go from being winless in seven Premier League games, to without defeat in their last six.
Changing of the guard
The prospect of a visit from Frank Lampard’s big-spending Chelsea on Boxing Day did little to lift the lack of festive spirit around the Emirates, but Arteta’s six changes - and faith in youth - paid off with a silky 3-1 win.
The energy and fearlessness brought to the table from the likes of Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli since the festive period has been crucial to Arsenal’s surge up the table and has seen them replicate their irresistible showings in the Europa League.
Smith Rowe, 20, has been a revelation in the No.10 spot, while Saka showcased his quality with a goal and an assist on his weak foot against Southampton on Tuesday, becoming only the second English teenager to score for Arsenal in consecutive Premier League appearances - after Ashley Cole of all people - by doing so.
The exciting youngsters have adapted to Arteta’s high-pressing and high-energy demands in his 4-2-3-1 system, and that first win against Chelsea did wonders for the whole squad’s confidence and performance output going into 2021.
With the team being blessed with creative licence, the addition of Odegaard to the ranks is likely to only increase the concerns of other Premier League teams ahead of any clash with the Gunners.
A no-nonsense approach
While responsible for the tactical switch that has reaped rewards, Arteta has also demonstrated a ruthless and resilient side over recent months, as he gradually builds a team fully bought into his ideology.
The high-profile departures of Matteo Guendouzi and Mesut Ozil showed he is only prepared to persist with players willing to fight for the shirt, a point Arteta made clear in December.
He said: “You need people who fight, people who contribute and people who are ready to give everything to the club.
“The ones who are not interested or cannot do it, they have to stay behind because if not they are dragging you back.”
While the likes of Sokratis, William Saliba and Sead Kolasinac have also been shown the door this month, the majority of Arteta’s signings - such as Thomas Partey, Gabriel and Pablo Mari - have hit the ground running.
Arteta clearly doesn’t have much time for anyone not on the same page as him, and the side’s battling performances and strong run of results suggests his approach is working as he continues to put his own stamp on the squad.
Everyone chipping in
As Arsenal’s young stars continue to shine towards the top-end of the pitch, a shoring up of the backline has no doubt enhanced the team’s ability to consistently put up a good battle for three points in the Premier League.
Goalkeeper Bernd Leno was integral to a recent run of five consecutive clean sheets for the first time in 11 years, while Rob Holding - who made his 100th appearance for Arsenal against Southampton on Tuesday - and David Luiz have both stepped up this term.
Another member of the defence - Kieran Tierney - has earned plenty of plaudits for his performances at left-back, but also for stepping up and leading by example on a regular basis.
Determined displays can be found across the park now, with the much-criticised Nicolas Pepe offering signs that he could finally be finding his feet after a solid performance on Tuesday night.
Goals have been somewhat hard to come by - with Arsenal (26) having scored the least of the Premier League’s top 12 sides as it stands - but with Lacazette close to double figures in the league and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang still to come back into the team, hopes are high that the good form can continue.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
