Whatever you hear, don’t let anyone tell you Mikel Arteta is doing a terrible job at Arsenal since his appointment well over a year ago.
There are many different ways to start off your project when you’ve taken over at a new club. At Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp turned to the ‘we’ll score more goals than you’ approach. And you can’t say it didn’t work with the Merseysider’s reaching two finals in his debut season at the club.
Was the club right to change Arteta's role from head coach to manager?
Yes
No
It seems Arteta is doing things slightly different at the beginning of his reign at the Emirates Stadium. The 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace did prove a disappointing result in the grand scheme of things, however, there was one positive to take from the night. Arsenal kept their fourth consecutive clean sheet as defences came out on top last week.
The overall improvement has been clear for all to see, but, it’s the defensive improvements which have been head and shoulders above the rest. At this point last season, the Reds had conceded 27 goals in their first 18 games of the campaign. However, the north London outfit have only let in 19 at this moment in time, the fourth-best defence in the top-flight.
A lot of the improvements have been down to two players, Rob Holding and Gabriel Magalhaes, who have been one of the few consistencies in the Gunners’ starting XI. Both players have started together in 10 of the 18 league games this season.
There are fewer things that please me than watching an Arsenal side that can actually defend. The improvements have been quite sensational and the Gunners finally have a platform on which they can build on, thanks to the former Manchester City coach.
