Mikel Arteta plays down speculation linking him to Barca job

[horsechoker]

Imagine Messi’s face if Arteta turns up as manager

Seemingly a shite manager and not exactly a special player from their academy or anything. Absolutely no reason to go for him... bizarre if true.

He's Pep's protege.

 

[RUCK4444]

He's Pep's protege.

Is that French for water boy?

 

[R'hllor]

If he goes to Barca, thats a good news for us.

 

[horsechoker]

If he goes to Barca, thats a good news for us.

I'd rather he go to City

 

[adexkola]

Xavi has no achievements as a manager in European football. Arteta's achievement is turning Arsenal into a bona fide mid-table side. Shit football with shit results. He'd be a bigger gamble. And he's not a club legend either.

Yeah that didn't happen

 

[adexkola]

Has he done so well at Arsenal that he should be given the Barca job?

What must he do at Arsenal to "qualify" him for the Barcelona job?

I put qualify in quotes because as used on forums to discuss managerial qualifications, the term means feck all, but I'm just playing along

 

[GoonerBear]

What must he do at Arsenal to "qualify" him for the Barcelona job?

I put qualify in quotes because as used on forums to discuss managerial qualifications, the term means feck all, but I'm just playing along

Their most successful manager in history literally coached their B team for 1 season as his managerial experience, yet folk sneer at this. Strange.

 

[adexkola]

I am happy with Arteta as the manager. I am very patient and I think he is doing a good job. Also why would Ancelotti switch when everton has more resources than arsenal atm?

Yeah but he didn't promote Sunderland from League 2 and win the CL with them, ala a FM save. That alone would show he has the "credentials" to manage Barcelona

 

[JJ12]

Bit melodramatic

Would you say the same if Xavi came in?

A Barca legend or somebody who has Arsenal at 10th in his 2nd season?

 

[adexkola]

Their most successful manager in history literally coached their B team for 1 season as his managerial experience, yet folk sneer at this. Strange.

I don't get the confidence with which people speak crap on this. In no way am I arguing Arteta would be a success there absolutely. How would I know? How would anyone know?

 

[adexkola]

A Barca legend or somebody who has Arsenal at 10th in his 2nd season?

I can very well argue that Xavi is similarly not "qualified" and needs to go to *checks Segunda table* Tenerife and manage there first, then hop to Sevilla, then Barcelona, only after performing the impossible along the way...

 

[GoonerBear]

I don't get the confidence with which people speak crap on this. In no way am I arguing Arteta would be a success there absolutely. How would I know? How would anyone know?

Yeah, it's mental. I just wonder where all these top managers are in the world right now that should walk into these top clubs. I mean, Juve appointed Pirlo, we appointed Arteta, Man Utd appointed Ole, Bayern appointed Flick, Real appointed Zidane all for shits & giggles.

 

[Wednesday at Stoke]

He's no Roberto Martinez to fail upwards.

 

[horsechoker]

What must he do at Arsenal to "qualify" him for the Barcelona job?

I put qualify in quotes because as used on forums to discuss managerial qualifications, the term means feck all, but I'm just playing along

There isn't an obligation to do anything but you would Barcelona who are considered to be among the top 6 clubs in Europe and the top 2 in Spain who have ambitions to win the Champion's League to hire somebody with experience at Europe's highest level, some silverware and above all a manager who is successful relative to the team he's managed.

Other things might be being a Barca legend and or having managed in the Barca system at the some level like Pep.

I can't say he's done any of those things. Perhaps he's doing as well as he can at Arsenal but he's not doing well.

 

[Grinner]

I don't get the confidence with which people speak crap on this. In no way am I arguing Arteta would be a success there absolutely. How would I know? How would anyone know?

It's almost as if the forum were populated by people who don't really have a fecking clue about footy.

 

[adexkola]

There isn't an obligation to do anything but you would Barcelona who are considered to be among the top 6 clubs in Europe and the top 2 in Spain who have ambitions to win the Champion's League to hire somebody with experience at Europe's highest level, some silverware and above all a manager who is successful relative to the team he's managed.

Other things might be being a Barca legend and or having managed in the Barca system at the some level like Pep.

I can't say he's done any of those things. Perhaps he's doing as well as he can at Arsenal but he's not doing well.

1. All those factors you mentioned are shown to have little correlation with future success
2. There are many managers who could have been considered lacking judging by this criteria, yet are doing well in their current assignments
3. I don't think Arteta is doing an excellent job at Arsenal. Good/mediocre, given the circumstances. But he seems to be tactically sound at least. If he is really in consideration it depends on how he sells himself in the interview.

 

[PoTMS]

I'd like to play down speculation I'll be sleeping with Margot Robbie tonight.

 

[groovyalbert]

As much as I don't buy it, it would be hilarious if he left Arsenal mid-rebuild with all the gaping holes in their squad and the inability to properly buy players given the current market.

 

[Thunderhead]

Arteta is doing ok isn't he?

Won the FA Cup, had a horrid run in the league but stuck it out and now they're climbing the league, with a little bit of luck (Wolves, Everton away) they could have had another few points and been right in the mix for European / CL places, they're doing ok in Europa League, has a team playing in a certain way, bringing though young players and gradually getting rid of the dead wood.

Of course Barca is far too big a step up and it's probably only paper talk but I wouldn't be surprised with a couple of decent signings to see Arsenal back in the top 6 mix next season.

 

[FootballHQ]

As we've seen countless times in past Barca rarely appoint elite level managers ever since Van Gaal. They go for more ex players who understand the whole culture and "mystique" or random ones like Tata Martino to try to appease Messi.

If you look back last 20 years they've appointed Lorenzo Serra Ferrer who was good at Betis in 90s but didn't do much, then Frank Rijkaard came in 2003 and overall did well but they signed superbly in that time. Then was Pep era. Then the Martino year before they went for Luis Enrique who hadn't done that well with Roma but he timed is arrival nicely with MSN at peak level.

Valverde had done solid job at many clubs but he wasn't elite either. Infact Koeman is arguably biggest name they've appointed in last 20 years given who he's managed but again it's more the ex player angle and after a poor start he's actually done a better job than I thought possible, comfortably keeping them top 4 and in cup final and trying to get them away from Messi cult and giving more responsibility to other players in final third.

It's completely different to Real Madrid strategy when you look at who they've appointed in last 15 years as manager.

So with that criteria I wouldn't say Arteta is that random given he grew up there, worked with Pep and is already managing a pretty big club in euro terms but yeah he'd be gobbled up by everything and far too soon. Also whoever the next manager is will be working with first Barca side post Messi so that's a huge task particularly as the crowd will be annoyed by him leaving when they get back in to Camp Nou so will be difficult atmosphere to play in.

 

[Grinner]

Arteta is doing ok isn't he?

Won the FA Cup, had a horrid run in the league but stuck it out and now they're climbing the league, with a little bit of luck (Wolves, Everton away) they could have had another few points and been right in the mix for European / CL places, they're doing ok in Europa League, has a team playing in a certain way, bringing though young players and gradually getting rid of the dead wood.

Of course Barca is far too big a step up and it's probably only paper talk but I wouldn't be surprised with a couple of decent signings to see Arsenal back in the top 6 mix next season.

Get out of here with your reasonable assessments.

 

[jackal&hyde]

It wouldn't surprise me if the speculation was conjured up by his own camp...

I'm thinking the same. He is lucky to still be in a job let alone be wanted by others.

 

[jackal&hyde]

Get out of here with your reasonable assessments.

They are 10th in the league with as many defeats as wins as Arsenal FC manager. It's shocking. From a Manchester United perspective though, it great.

 

[Bilbo]

I like Arteta. I think Arsenal will only get better with him there and I can see why Barcelona would be interested in him, if its true.

 

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

In other news, I can also confirm that I am not interested in the Barcelona job.

 

[tenpoless]

HaHa

 

[tomaldinho1]

Koeman actually seems to be doing ok, I reckon they'll win LL this season. Arteta is doing 'ok' after their awful early season form - I guess their aim is probably EL so he still might make that.

 

[Grinner]

They are 10th in the league with as many defeats as wins as Arsenal FC manager. It's shocking. From a Manchester United perspective though, it great.

Yes utterly shocking. We need to strike for Graham Potter quick.

 

[jackal&hyde]

I like Arteta. I think Arsenal will only get better with him there and I can see why Barcelona would be interested in him, if its true.

Why though? We are second in the league and some fans think we have the worst manager ever. Arteta has 11 defeats 11 wins with arguably the most expensive attack in the league. He is almost as close to relegation as he is to top 4. It's literally the worst possible situation for Arsenal safe from actually being in the relegation battle. The future might yet prove he is capable to being a top manager but at the time of writing, given player quality and league results, he is by far the worst performer in the Premier League.

 

[GoonerBear]

Why though? We are second in the league and some fans think we have the worst manager ever. Arteta has 11 defeats 11 wins with arguably the most expensive attack in the league. He is almost as close to relegation as he is to top 4. It's literally the worst possible situation for Arsenal safe from actually being in the relegation battle. The future might yet prove he is capable to being a top manager but at the time of writing, given player quality and league results, he is by far the worst performer in the Premier League.

That says more about your support, the lack of patience & understanding of the situation. You's seen Arteta doing a good job at the start, many mentioned he was out performing Ole even though it was way too early to tell, now you see Tuchel doing likewise & many are jumping on the exact same bandwagon.

 

[MO_Football92]

I honestly don’t think much could be done at Arsenal. They’re abysmal.

We're not abysmal Arteta's just an inexperienced coach whose made bad decisions this season.

 

[Thunderhead]

Why though? We are second in the league and some fans think we have the worst manager ever. Arteta has 11 defeats 11 wins with arguably the most expensive attack in the league. He is almost as close to relegation as he is to top 4. It's literally the worst possible situation for Arsenal safe from actually being in the relegation battle. The future might yet prove he is capable to being a top manager but at the time of writing, given player quality and league results, he is by far the worst performer in the Premier League.

I think he's handled himself we'll, they had something like 12 points after 12 games and we're just above the relegation zone going into Christmas and he's turned it around well, it's his first job, lets see how it pans out, he's trying to get them to play a different style which possibly isn't suited to Aubamayang but he's sticking with it, fair play.

 

[jackal&hyde]

That says more about your support, the lack of patience & understanding of the situation. You's seen Arteta doing a good job at the start, many mentioned he was out performing Ole even though it was way too early to tell, now you see Tuchel doing likewise & many are jumping on the exact same bandwagon.

I agree with you. I was directing my comment at our own fans and the atmosphere they create of toxicity that by reading some of our comments you would think we are relegation fodder rather then the second best team in England. I've seen more sense from Leeds and Arsenal fans about United then some of our own fans. The fan base is a mess right now.

 

[FrankDrebin]

Yes utterly shocking. We need to strike for Graham Potter quick.

Hey, he's ours !

 

[Stormrage101MUFC]

The barcelona rebuilding job is even more challenging than Arsenal. The club is on the edge of being bankrupt, can't pay player's salary, but Fan's expectation is high. Arteta is not stupid, they may not even have money paying his wages next month.

True he'd be a fool to go there now, but most players and managers seem to lose 100 IQ points as soon as they get linked to Barca or Real Madrid.

 

[GoonerBear]

I agree with you. I was directing my comment at our own fans and the atmosphere they create of toxicity that by reading some of our comments you would think we are relegation fodder rather then the second best team in England. I've seen more sense from Leeds and Arsenal fans about United then some of our own fans. The fan base is a mess right now.

It's the modern fans view of wanting instant success, the new big shiny toys, & constant change. Unfortunately all clubs have them.

Arsenal need a shit load of player movement. Its his first job, he's had 1 summer transfer window, no normal pre season yet, a Covid environment, in a season where everyone bar City has been injury hit & inconsistent as feck, season still has a third to go, yet we're already judging him as shite & out his depth.

 

[Sunny Jim]

I'm happy to inform you guys i can also play down any news linking me with Barcelona hot seat.

 

[Sunny Jim]

He's top of the league in Qatar

I've seen some youtube videos. They do play the Barca ways. Some good stuff.

 

[Grinner]

It's the modern fans view of wanting instant success, the new big shiny toys, & constant change. Unfortunately all clubs have them.

Arsenal need a shit load of player movement. Its his first job, he's had 1 summer transfer window, no normal pre season yet, a Covid environment, in a season where everyone bar City has been injury hit & inconsistent as feck, season still has a third to go, yet we're already judging him as shite & out his depth.

He does need to explain why he persists with Willian though.

 

[Dancfc]

Arteta is doing ok isn't he?

Won the FA Cup, had a horrid run in the league but stuck it out and now they're climbing the league, with a little bit of luck (Wolves, Everton away) they could have had another few points and been right in the mix for European / CL places, they're doing ok in Europa League, has a team playing in a certain way, bringing though young players and gradually getting rid of the dead wood.

Of course Barca is far too big a step up and it's probably only paper talk but I wouldn't be surprised with a couple of decent signings to see Arsenal back in the top 6 mix next season.

He's lost as many games in the last month as Emery did in his last 18 games which caused him to be sacked.

They have currently lost as many league games as they've won.

Since the PL became 20 teams they've only finished a league season with more defeats then their current tally of 11 once which was 13 in Wenger's last season (which makes a mockery of the narrative they're harder to beat).

He's extended/convinced to stay Bellerin, Xhaka, Holding, Nketiah, Lacazette and also offered Mustafi a new deal (which he declined) which makes a mockery of the narrative he's a victim of a poor squad. Infact I think something like 16 of the squad are there due to his impact be it transfer, new contract, begged to stay etc..

Also Saliba's shining on loan for a title contender while Arteta persists with Holding.

Moyes and Ancelotti both took over weaker squad's at around about the same time and both look very likely to comfortably finish above Arsenal.

Also we keep hearing about how great Leno, Tierney, Partey, Saka and Auba are, so why are they 10th with 13 games to go?

Arteta himself has said he has the owners full backing which takes that excuse away.

Yes the FA Cup was a decent achievement in itself but means feck all in the grand scheme of things, look at the list of managers who have won domestic cups in recent times, full of average dross there. Would you employ Harry Redknapp?

I've never known a player/manager to be protected with such a sheer amount of excuses, Emery was sacked (and mocked) for a lot less, where was all this energy for him?