Arteta: It’s been one year but it feels like 10!
By DOMINIC KING
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 different reasons,’ explained Arteta, who said behind-the-scenes 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 10 years, but 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,’ he recalled. ‘I remember sitting in the stands thinking, “I can’t wait to work with the players and the club”.’ While the inconsistent Arsenal side of Arteta’s first day sound very much like his group now, he insisted: ‘It’s a team that has evolved a lot in many areas. I can see a lot of changes, but results-wise in recent weeks we’ve been nowhere near, so this is taking the gloss off what we’ve done in the year and that’s a shame. But it’s our reality.’ Carlo Ancelotti was also watching at Goodison Park a year ago, having been confirmed as Everton’s new manager that morning. Arteta said: ‘As someone who really likes Everton, to have a manager like him is top. Look at his c.v. — the clubs he has managed, the trophies he has won, it’s incredible. He is one of the best in football history. And then the man, and what he represents as a manager. This calmness, this person… you want to hug him.’ After his testing first 12 months as Arsenal boss, Arteta could be forgiven for needing one. TV: Everton v Arsenal, LIVE on Sky Sports from 5pm. Kick-off 5.30pm.
REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL
THE omens tend to be good for the side who occupy top spot on Christmas Day and if liverpool negotiate today’s tricky trip to Crystal Palace without defeat, that is where they will be. they have a hungry squad who are eager to retain the Premier league title, and the ambition in the dressing room should not be underestimated. the performance against tottenham marked them out as the team to beat and this correspondent will be surprised if they are pegged back. they have come through a terrible spell of injuries with their position in the table enhanced and in the coming weeks thiago Alcantara will be back, along with James Milner, Xherdan shaqiri and Alex oxlade-Chamberlain. they will soon have strength in depth. it should also be considered that sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino will not continue to score as infrequently as they have done in recent weeks. When the goals start flowing for them, liverpool’s rivals will be in trouble.
REASONS TO BE FEARFUL
one more injury to a defender and Klopp would be in a serious predicament. Fabinho has provided remarkable cover, while the emergence of Rhys Williams and nat Phillips has been heartwarming but how long can it last? Andy Robertson, in outstanding form, has played almost every minute of the Premier league campaign. if something was to happen to the scotland captain, it would throw the balance of liverpool’s team completely, as his understudy Kostas tsimikas is not at a high level yet. How Klopp manages the minutes of his defenders — and his goalkeeper Alisson, for that matter — will present a big test of his skill. the sequence of games when they face southampton, Manchester United, Burnley, tottenham and West Ham in January will be vital. DK’S PREDICTION: 1ST