Mikel Arteta | Lego Pep watch

[Dancfc]

I’m not sure which Arsenal fans are saying that Ramsdale, Tierney, Martinelli, Saka and ESR aren’t good enough. Many, myself included, think we can upgrade on Tavares, Soares, El Neny, Nketiah and Holding (all of whom have started crucial games for us in the run in).

And yes, Arteta does need to be backed because he only bought one of the second group of players (and even Tavares was an £8m punt).

Out of that second group he also gave a new deal to Holding, Nketiah has confirmed he's been offered one and there's strong rumours El Neny is getting the same.

He can't be a victim of the squad now most if not all are his players by virtue of signing/extension/begged to stay.

 

[Daydreamer]

Out of that second group he also gave a new deal to Holding, Nketiah has confirmed he's been offered one and there's strong rumours El Neny is getting the same.

He can't be a victim of the squad now most if not all are his players by virtue of signing/extension/begged to stay.

I’m not suggesting he’s a “victim of the squad”. I’m just pointing out that the players we need to improve upon were here before Arteta started and aren’t the same players Arsenal fans are “excessively” happy with.

He’s almost certainly going to finish 5th (though if I had to pick a team to blow CL qualification by losing to an already relegated team… it would be Spurs). We’ve got the 5th highest wage bill and the 5th/6th strongest squad. Not amazing, but the sky also isn’t falling.

 

[GoonerBear]

Out of that second group he also gave a new deal to Holding, Nketiah has confirmed he's been offered one and there's strong rumours El Neny is getting the same.

He can't be a victim of the squad now most if not all are his players by virtue of signing/extension/begged to stay.

There's only so many players you can clear out, I think we have 16 or so first team players currently. Guys like Holding & El Neny are good to have in the squad because they aren't on too big wages, are professional, don't complain when they aren't playing. It's difficult to find players like that.

But they should be further down the pecking order. Holding should be 4th choice, hopefully Saliba coming in does that. El Neny shouldn't be the back up to Partey, he should be back up to the back up. Nketiah shouldn't be starting striker, he probably should be 3ed choice at best.

 

[ShinjiNinja26]

Why would a club like Arsenal be happy with 5th?

Maybe because they’ve finished 8th the last two seasons?

 

[the_cliff]

I’m not suggesting he’s a “victim of the squad”. I’m just pointing out that the players we need to improve upon were here before Arteta started and aren’t the same players Arsenal fans are “excessively” happy with.

He’s almost certainly going to finish 5th (though if I had to pick a team to blow CL qualification by losing to an already relegated team… it would be Spurs). We’ve got the 5th highest wage bill and the 5th/6th strongest squad. Not amazing, but the sky also isn’t falling.

I actually agree with you, I'd say you probably have the 6th strongest squad in the league so finishing 5th isn't the end of the world. It's just the manner in which it (finishing 5th) has happened that has made most people react this way.

I just don't get the fan backing of Arteta, Emery also bottled top 4 in similar fashion and I seem to remember all Arsenal fans wanting him gone, it was only a matter of time for him after that.

 

[Daydreamer]

I actually agree with you, I'd say you probably have the 6th strongest squad in the league so finishing 5th isn't the end of the world. It's just the manner in which it (finishing 5th) has happened that has made most people react this way.

I just don't get the fan backing of Arteta, Emery also bottled top 4 in similar fashion and I seem to remember all Arsenal fans wanting him gone, it was only a matter of time for him after that.

Fair take.

I think the fan backing of Arteta is mainly due to him fostering a reconnection with the team. The atmosphere at the stadium has completely changed for the better. Although we’re getting laughed at by rival fans for it, we’re genuinely excited by the likes or Saka, Smith-Rowe, Martinelli and Odegaard. Hell, even Xhaka has had a redemption arc as, despite all his flaws, he clearly cares about the club. He is shaping a team that fans can get behind.

Everyone at Arsenal now views it as a privilege to wear the shirt. That’s as it should be, but it hasn’t always been the case in recent years. Arteta cleared out a lot of deadwood and the players that remain have all got the right attitude. We now desperately need to add both quality and quantity.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Fair take.

I think the fan backing of Arteta is mainly due to him fostering a reconnection with the team. The atmosphere at the stadium has completely changed for the better. Although we’re getting laughed at by rival fans for it, we’re genuinely excited by the likes or Saka, Smith-Rowe, Martinelli and Odegaard. Hell, even Xhaka has had a redemption arc as, despite all his flaws, he clearly cares about the club. He is shaping a team that fans can get behind.

Everyone at Arsenal now views it as a privilege to wear the shirt. That’s as it should be, but it hasn’t always been the case in recent years. Arteta cleared out a lot of deadwood and the players that remain have all got the right attitude. We now desperately need to add both quality and quantity.

Not according to your captain they don’t.

 

[Amarsdd]

I read a few weeks ago that the hierarchy is really happy with him and thinks he is ahead of his development, which is why he got a 3 year deal.

If they think he is ahead of where they should be, clearly they are happy with 5th after 3 years of being in charge.

I've said this before and I still believe Arteta's job is the safest of anyone in the PL after Klopp and maybe Pep.

 

[allen7]

And when things are going well we keep hearing about how great the likes of Ramsdale, Tierney, Martinelli, Saka and ESR (a few weeks ago social media was flooded with Arsenal fans excessively gloating about the latter two being the first under 21 double figure duo since Rooney and Ronaldo) are.

Yet as soon as they have a couple of shit results it's because the players are not good enough and Arteta needs to be backed (despite the fact almost all of that squad are his by either signing or contract extension).

IMO saka and martinelli are really good players and ramsdale is an OK keeper most of the times overconfident. If they upgrade with experienced players on other areas they will achieve top 4 maybe top 3. But thats a huge investment.

 

[Daydreamer]

Not according to your captain they don’t.

Xhaka’s is infamously NOT our Captain. He’s was right about that game, unfortunately. But in the whole, they’re a good bunch.

 

[Mastadon]

If Partey plays there might be a debate, problem is Partey misses 50% of the games a season so far. So you are talking about Elneny, Xhaka & Sambi Lokonga behind that. Not rich pickings, and area that needs not 1 but 2 players I'd argue.

Those are bottom half of the table options without Partey. Our midfield is garbage comparable to McFred.

 

[ariveded]

Favorite to get sacked next season? Just needs 5 bad games and Arsenal are usually poor starters.

 

[TwoSheds]

Favorite to get sacked next season? Just needs 5 bad games and Arsenal are usually poor starters.

Nah. He's inexplicably highly rated, he'll be fine unless they're right down in the relegation battle or something. I think they'll be 7th next year.

 

[Sylar]

Favorite to get sacked next season? Just needs 5 bad games and Arsenal are usually poor starters.

He normally does that. Then somehow goes on a run. Normally by having Chelsea in that run.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

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But progress

I think people have to understand that this is Arteta's third full season in charge. He's been afforded a lot of time and patience. By now he should have genuine expectations and not the ones he's created through his own poor management. Doesn't bother me as I'm happy for a team around us to have a manager like him buy Arsenal should demand excellence in accordance with the stature of the club. Not instant results buy excellence. And 3 plus years are enough to prove that.

 

[allen7]

Favorite to get sacked next season? Just needs 5 bad games and Arsenal are usually poor starters.

He went through a horrendous series of losses during december and survived last year. Clearly their board and their fans doesn’t want to sack him and see something promising in him.
In my guess, as long as he keeps Arsenal in top 10 places he’ll be safe and sound!

 

[GoonerBear]

But progress

I think people have to understand that this is Arteta's third full season in charge. He's been afforded a lot of time and patience. By now he should have genuine expectations and not the ones he's created through his own poor management. Doesn't bother me as I'm happy for a team around us to have a manager like him buy Arsenal should demand excellence in accordance with the stature of the club. Not instant results buy excellence. And 3 plus years are enough to prove that.

It's not, it's his 2nd full season.

 

[Judas]

I thought our standards were low, but Arsenal continue to prove they're willing to sink lower.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

It's not, it's his 2nd full season.

Alright a third of the non CL time then.

 

[GoonerBear]

Alright a third of the non CL time then.

Yep. Not been in Champions League since 2016 mind you.

 

[Samid]

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250m spent in 2.5 years, going to finish on a worse points tally they had half a year before he was appointed. "Did more than we expected"

 

[ayushreddevil9]

Yep. Not been in Champions League since 201 mind you.

Wow it has been ages

 

[horsechoker]

Wow it has been ages

I remember when Arsenal broke up As Roma's dominance

 

[Dancfc]

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250m spent in 2.5 years, going to finish on a worse points tally they had half a year before he was appointed. "Did more than we expected"

I have joked about it but that Amazon documentary is going to be wall to wall propaganda about what a great job he's doing, isn't it?

 

[GoonerBear]

Wow it has been ages

Feels that long!

 

[GoonerBear]

I have joked about it but that Amazon documentary is going to be wall to wall propaganda about what a great job he's doing, isn't it?

Of course it is. If you watch the Spurs one is very highly sanatised compared to the Netflix Sunderland documentary for instance.

 

[Tavern in the town]

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250m spent in 2.5 years, going to finish on a worse points tally they had half a year before he was appointed. "Did more than we expected"

He should consider a career in politics, he could be the next Goebbels.

 

[horsechoker]

I think they might get 4th. Everton are safe and may half-arse the match. Moreover, lads, it's spurs.

 

[Someone]

Whether it's CL or EL football next year, I think he'll be found out big time.

 

[WeePat]

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[DevilRed]

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What else would you expect when you come from a frauds coaching tree.

 

[horsechoker]

Apparently he's poisoned the food at Spurs!

Genius

 

[ShinjiNinja26]

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250m spent in 2.5 years, going to finish on a worse points tally they had half a year before he was appointed. "Did more than we expected"

This guy has no shame.

I’m not complaining though, the longer he stays in the job the better.

 

[cafecillos]

Such a wonderful head of hair though

 

[always_hoping]

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250m spent in 2.5 years, going to finish on a worse points tally they had half a year before he was appointed. "Did more than we expected"

The greatest trick Mikel Arteta ever pulled was convincing the world he is doing a good job. The owners and Arsenal board will hardly fall for such nonsense?

 

[Rajiztar]

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Problem with arsenal is they are just accepted the mediocrity as improvement.

 

[The holy trinity 68]

He is a conman and a charlatan.

 

[GifLord]

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[SambaBoy]

I don't think you can underestimate the positive effects of only playing once a week. It makes a massive difference nowadays in terms of recovery and actually planning for the weekend. We seen it with Chelsea under Conte and lower/mid-table teams getting into Europe and having great seasons before crashing down the table the next season due to the effects of playing in Europe.

The problem will be two-fold for Arteta in the summer. He's streamlined his squad so much to the point where it's struggling with fatigue/freshness playing once a week, he got rid of like 6 players in January alone and you can claim that these players may not have contributed much but I'm sure they would have helped with being in Europe next year. You will have to replace those players in the summer to contend with European football whilst also trying to strengthen the first team to compete for the top four. The striker alone is going to take a large chunk out of the budget, and I'd imagine Nketiah will leave now as well as Xhaka, two more players who will need replacing.

I don't see where Arsenal are going to get the resources from to essentially draft in 6-8 players to help them compete at the top end of the table and in Europe. I'd imagine they will bring in 3-5 players and they will struggle massively in the league next year.

 

[Mastadon]

He’s brought our standards so deep into the toilet that someone peeing on our feet is now considered an achievement.