Mikel Arteta was appointed as the head coach of Arsenal in December 2019. Before this, he had no experience as a head coach, but he had served as an assistant coach for Manchester City. Despite his lack of experience, Arteta was seen as a promising young coach who could turn things around for Arsenal. He quickly got to work, and by the end of the 2019/2020 season, Arsenal had won the FA Cup, beating Chelsea in the final.
The 2020/2021 season presented new challenges for Arteta, as Arsenal failed to make a good start to the season. They were struggling in the Premier League, and there was talk of Arteta being sacked. However, Arteta was able to turn things around by creating a new spirit within the team.
One of the things that Arteta did was to instill a new sense of discipline and work ethic in the players. He made it clear that everyone had to work hard if they wanted to be part of the team. He also made it clear that he was the boss, and everyone had to respect him. This created a new sense of professionalism within the team, and everyone started to take their jobs seriously.
Another thing that Arteta did was to create a new system of play. He wanted Arsenal to play a more possession-based game, with quick passing and movement. He also wanted the team to be more defensively solid, and he worked hard on the defensive aspect of the game. This was a big change from the previous style of play, which was more direct and reliant on individual brilliance.
Arteta also worked hard on building a sense of team spirit within the squad. He created a family-like atmosphere by organizing team-building exercises and making time for players to bond off the pitch. This created a new sense of unity within the team, and everyone started to work for each other on the pitch.
One of the key factors in Arsenal’s title charge was Arteta’s ability to get the best out of his players. He was able to motivate players who had been struggling before and turn them into key contributors to the team’s success. Players like Granit Xhaka and Hector Bellerin, who had been criticized in the past, were now performing at a high level.
Arteta’s man-management was also crucial to Arsenal’s success. He understood that different players required different approaches, and he worked hard to connect with each player on a personal level. He always made himself available to his players and was not afraid to have difficult conversations with them when needed.
Perhaps one of the most significant changes that Arteta made was to instill a winning mentality within the team. He made it clear that Arsenal were a big club with a rich history, and they should be competing for trophies every season. He challenged his players to push themselves to the limit and always strive for excellence. This mindset shift was evident in Arsenal’s run to the Europa League final, where they beat tough opponents like Benfica, Olympiacos, and Villarreal.
In conclusion, Mikel Arteta has created a new spirit that has fueled Arsenal’s title charge this season. He has brought a sense of discipline, work ethic, and professionalism to the team. He has implemented a new style of play that has made Arsenal more defensively solid and better at keeping possession. He has built a sense of team spirit, and he has motivated his players to perform at their best. His man-management has been excellent, and he has instilled a winning mentality within the team. If Arsenal can maintain this spirit, then they have a bright future ahead of them under Arteta’s leadership.