Arsenal marked a significant milestone with their victory against West Ham last time out, moving above Liverpool at the top of the Premier League in the process. Goals from Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka either side of the break were enough to see off a side that has caused problems in recent seasons. The performance was not spectacular, but Arsenal were the far superior side in every area of the pitch. Aside from Martin Ødegaard’s unfortunate knee injury, it would have been a perfect afternoon for Mikel Arteta in his 300th game in charge.
The game marked a key moment in the Spaniard’s managerial career. Quizzed on winning in his 300th game in charge, Arteta told reporters: “Very proud, it is a big number for this football club. I want to thank everybody, especially my coaching staff who have been with me since day one. Without them, it is impossible, first of all, to do the job and secondly to enjoy it, so I know that I have the best people in the world around me. Also the players and the staff that have been with me since day one, supporting, helping me to be a better coach, to learn from them, to inspire me and to enjoy the good moments as well. I wanted to celebrate it with a win, I have got it. Now we have an international break to enjoy it and use the time as well to prepare because what is coming before the next break is going to be really difficult again.”
Arteta’s journey to 300 games
Since arriving at the club in December 2019, Arteta has overseen a period of massive change. From consecutive 8th-placed finishes to top-four heartache and finally to the title disappointment of recent seasons, he has contributed immensely to Arsenal’s resurgence.
Time to turn progress into trophies
That said, a tally of just one major trophy is not enough to satisfy the expectations at a club of this stature. Arteta knows he will ultimately be remembered for tangible achievements. Thankfully for the Spaniard, Arsenal are now in a fantastic position to finally get over the line this campaign thanks to the quality they brought in over the summer.
What do you think, Gooners? Can Arteta turn his 300-game milestone into the season that finally delivers the Premier League title?
Benjamin Kenneth
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Though the gaffer sport the best win rate at Arsenal as a manager, he needs to step his game if he wants to be in the same league as legends like Pep Guarrdiola and Kenny Dalglish.
In terms of sustained winning and extensive time at a club Pep Guarrdiola has a vastly superior trophy record and longer more dominant tenure, while Dalglish also achieve significant success as both player and manager.
There’s no doubt Arteta has led a significant resurgence at Arsenal, achieving a FA Cup win and consistently finishing top four , his managerial trophy cabinet is a massive drop off to the legends
Gunsmoke,
Totally agree, these personal stats while impressive in their way are only that. The only true way for a manager to be judged is on trophy’s won.
Doe’s anyone think that in future years when asked about said clubs success, would anyone put win rates above winning trophy’s.
Arteta has a better winning rate than the legend that is Wenger. But I know who’s record I’d rather have. Just look at Wenger’s trophy haul, there’s no comparison.
There are a number of ways to judge a manager. Certainly, the type and number of titles are amongst the more important but it is quite wrong to make judgements just based on number of titles. Arteta is still relatively early in his managerial career so comparing his lifetime record of titles to that of Wenger is inappropriate.
The footballing landscape faced by Wenger is quite different from that faced by Arteta. The changes that Arteta has had to introduce are far more complex than getting rid of drinking cultures and fish and chips.
Whatever the case, Arsenal are now in as good as they have been in a long time to win major titles and Arteta has done well to get the team to this point.
David,
Your last 11 words are correct. Arteta has done well to get the team to this point.
Now he’s got to get us over the line. If not, then we need to get someone who can. Who that man is no one knows. But that’s down to the club and their contacts to find.
I’ve heard it said many times that football goes in cycles, well with our finishing second in the last three seasons, I hope our cycle isn’t coming to an end.