Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, expressed his displeasure following his team’s timid show during the opening 20 minutes. That was on full display in their 2-2 draw against Liverpool just this past weekend. The match, played at Anfield, saw Arsenal fall behind early after two quick goals from Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz. It was the opening phase that Arteta called “unacceptable.” He stressed that it missed “by a long shot” the level of performance the club demands.
Arteta accepted full blame for the team’s poor opening run. When it’s a performance like this, the blame is on us or me? The 20 minutes, that’s on me, for sure. His candid acknowledgment of the team’s shortcomings highlights the pressure he feels to improve performance as Arsenal strives to contend at the top level.
Early Struggles and Resilience
The slow start would be extremely costly as Arsenal soon found themselves 2-0 down inside the first half. The team showed resilience, swiftly regrouping and mounting a fierce comeback to earn the draw. Arteta was obviously pleased with their resilience – only to an extent. When further pressed on his team’s ability to bounce back, he appeared agitated. He communicated that there’s still much work to be done.
Arteta noted, “The action that we had after those 20 to 25 minutes, then the second half, that’s what I’m asking for.” This short comment underlines his need for a consistent reference point and top-level quality at all times during the match. Though it was an opening-day draw, the manager’s frustration in those early days revealed an obvious demand for much better in the days ahead.
For better or worse, Arsenal continues to try and ratchet things up a level. Arteta pointed out that injuries have played a big part in their season so far. He admitted that his team has suffered immensely this year from injury and sendings-off woes. To compound the problem, they’ve had to play with just ten men on six separate occasions. This context only furthers the uphill battle he and his players faced. They found a way around every hurdle during that entire campaign.
The Pressure to Succeed
With Arsenal’s season coming to a close and anticipation building for the next one, Arteta is under increasing pressure to deliver significant results. The club’s aspirations are as great as their spending, with a third consecutive season of strong contention in the title race with Manchester City leading to growing expectations. The manager acknowledged that having a consistent core of “the same eight or nine players week in, week out” has contributed positively to their competitive edge.
Critics have begun questioning Arteta’s tactics, with suggestions circulating that a managerial change could lead Arsenal down a path similar to that of Chelsea, who have struggled to maintain consistent success. Arteta remains focused on his long-term plans for the club. He’ll never stop telling people that winning only tells you one thing about success. Echoing a sentiment of broader appreciation for what progress might look like for Arsenal, he added, “It’s not winning.
Arteta was lauded for his managerial acumen by fans – both Gooners and non-Gooners – as well as the football media. One famous fan put it bluntly when they declared themselves a “huge fan” of his hands-on management style and Seoul’s new vision. Such backing may provide Arteta with some moral support in difficult spells. Perhaps most importantly, he’s dead-set on making his home state the one that brings his team back to glory.
Looking Ahead
As Arsenal prepares for their upcoming fixtures, the lessons learned from their match against Liverpool will undoubtedly influence their training and strategies. Arteta’s focus on accountability and improvement is essential as they aim to solidify their position among the league’s elite teams.
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