Arteta: one year feels like ten!

MIKEL ARTETA says his first year in management has coincided with one of the toughest in Arsenal’s history. Tomorrow marks 12 months since Arteta was appointed as Unai Emery’s permanent successor and, despite a double Wembley success this summer, he has had little to celebrate recently. Those FA Cup final and Community Shield triumphs are distant memories and the past few months have been turbulent on and off the pitch, something confirmed by Arsenal’s position of 15th in the Premier League table. The club have completed an overhaul of their management structure and recruitment department, while managing the financial fallout caused by the coronavirus pandemic. But the recent run has overshadowed achievements. ‘It has been one of the most challenging years of the club’s history for many reasons,’ sons,’ stated Arteta (right), who said behind-the-scenes es changes had ‘shaken the club big time’. The 38-year-old Spaniard added: ‘I have experienced things in a year that in a normal job you would experience in eight or ten years, but ut it’s been great. I want to believe I am much better as a manager.’ The day after his appointment, Arteta was in the stands to see Arsenal draw 0-0 with another of his former clubs, Everton, to where he returns this evening. ‘I saw an Arsenal team going through a very difficult spell in the league, a team who had doubts. They needed results, but that day they really put in an effort, effort,’ he recalled. ‘I rem remember sitting in the stands thinking: “I ca can’t wait to work with the players and the club”.’ Carlo Ancelotti was a also watching at Go Goodison Park a year ago ago, having been confir confirmed as Everton’s new mana manager that morning. Arteta said: ‘As someone who really likes Everton, to have a manager like him is top. Look at his CV — the clubs he has managed, the trophies he has won, it’s incredible.’