Jose Mourinho’s flattering comments about Mikel Arteta from three years ago ring true today. The former Tottenham boss described Arteta as a “good coach” and urged the Arsenal board to stick with the Spaniard following a difficult start to life at the Emirates Stadium.
In his first full season in charge, Arteta steered the Gunners to an eighth-place finish in the Premier League, their joint-lowest final position in England’s top flight since 1995. There were calls of “Arteta Out” heading into 2021 with the north Londoners languishing in 15th place following a 2-0 loss to fierce rivals Tottenham.
Yet Mourinho saw Arteta’s promise and believed that there were smoother waters ahead for the north Londoners under the young manager. Speaking after the game, Mourinho said: “I want to give good words to Mikel because he gave us a very difficult game, tactically they are very good, they were very well organised, they were building with four, defending with five and then in the second half they were trying to find the triangles on the side.
“They gave us problems, problems that we managed to resolve because our players have good tactical culture and even above that they have an incredible spirit. But they gave us problems because they are a good team and he is a good coach.”
“Mikel Arteta is doing a fantastic job. Massive trust to youth, massive man-management,” he added. “I hope he gets time, I’m saying to Arsenal fans, with him Arsenal will be Arsenal again.”
Mourinho’s comments proved to be on the money. In the 2021/2022 season, Arsenal jumped three places in the table to fifth, narrowly missing out on Champions League football by two points to Spurs. Then came the breakthrough campaign for Arteta.
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Last season, Arsenal exceeded all expectations in challenging Manchester City for the title. The Gunners spent 248 days at the top of the Premier League but a mixture of injuries and inexperience led to Arteta’s side dropping the ball down the home straight.
It was an agonising way to end the season but it’s easy to forget just what an incredible achievement it was for Arsenal to do what they did. There are promising signs ahead for the north Londoners with Arteta at the helm and after getting off to a stellar start to the 2023/2024 campaign many believe Arsenal can go one better in May.
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