Reaching new levels
It's time to fight for the title
Arteta had his new contract, he had fans on the sidelines and academy players like Saka and Smith Rowe were fully integrated. All he needed was a team ready for the challenge.
Arsenal may have been pipped by Tottenham in the race for fourth place in 2022, but strides have been made in the following season to see them out not just Spurs – but most of the Premier League.
The main two arrivals that summer were Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko, both plucked from Manchester City, with winning experience. Arteta would go on to say that the couple “changed our world”.
“It showed what City thought of us in that period,” recalls Palmer.
“But from the moment Jesus and Zinchenko came along, they brought a different belief and they brought the finishing touches to our style of play.
“It really changed things. Our belief grew and suddenly the art of the possible changed.”
There was another big addition in the integration of Saliba, a speedy centre-back who moved Arsenal 10 to 15 yards more up the pitch.
Suddenly Arsenal could get complicated.
Zinchenko's arrival meant the Gunners adopted a regular left-back for the first time. Jesus linked up to form a front three with Saka and Martinelli, all of whom hit double figures in the term, while even Xhaka was among the top scorers.
Arsenal started the 2022/23 season by winning 10 of their first 12 Premier League games. Suddenly the picture changed. They were in a title race that would last most of the season. Arteta has gone from a manager who made do with what he had, to one who is prepared to delve into the details.
“It's hard to describe what makes him a special coach because he has so many qualities, but I think it's an attention to detail that I haven't seen anywhere else in football,” says Odegaard, who also became Arsenal captain that summer.
“There are so many things he'll tell you that you never thought made sense when he explained them to you.
“I think his understanding of the game, all the details he sees and his ability to get the team and the club working together and in the same direction are his best qualities. He's incredible.”
Arsenal lost the title that season as injuries to Jesus and Saliba, coupled with another unbeaten run by Manchester City, saw Guardiola reclaim the crown. But Arteta responded by adding more layers to the squad, and his ruthlessness once again came to the fore.
Declan Rice arrived despite Thomas Partey being a key midfielder. Jurrien Timber, who succumbed to a long-term injury early in the season, threatened Ben White and Zinchenko at guard. Fan favorites such as Tierney and Smith Rowe have been relegated to reserve options.
He made the most ruthless move as a goalkeeper. Aaron Ramsdale was named in the Premier League team of the year, but David Raya arrived and the England international hardly played again. Arteta refocused on the specifics he wanted between the sticks.
“When you come to Arsenal and he tells you how he sees football, you feel like you've never known football before,” says Raya Sky Sports.
“It's crazy for any player who came to Arsenal. I spoke to Declan Rice when I came and he said the same thing. 'When I came here I didn't really know football, I didn't know how to play football.'
“Mikel is so impressive in the way he looks at the game differently and I think you can see on the pitch how good he is. He's unbelievable. He's a great manager and a great guy and he pushes you to the limit to be better.”
His desire to push Arsenal to their limits and maximize every possible part of the game is best summed up by their strength in setting up.
In Arteta's first full season, they scored the third most goals from set pieces in the Premier League. Now, with the help of guru Nicolas Jover, they have 23 Premier League goals from corners in 18 months.
“What I appreciate most about Arteta's management is his desire to push every margin and respect every aspect of the game,” says Stillman.
A mural of Arsenal manager Nicolas Jover near the Emirates Stadium
A mural of Arsenal manager Nicolas Jover near the Emirates Stadium
“We didn't have that for too long at Arsenal and people used to make fun of us for being weak, for being bad at set pieces.
“It's got to the stage now where people make fun of Arsenal because of how good they are at set pieces, but for too long we haven't respected those parts of the game.
“I think Arteta knows the level of competition so you have to be outstanding in everything to have a chance to win anything and that's what I really appreciate about his management.”
Arsenal came close to the Premier League title last season, but not enough. City beat them by two points on the last day. However, Arteta continues to mold his team and strive for improvement.
Kai Havertz shows his dejection after missing out on the title on the final day of last season
Kai Havertz shows his dejection after missing out on the title on the final day of last season
Kai Havertz has been one of the best duel winners in 2024 and has signed another in Mikel Merino, who won more duels than any player in Europe last campaign.
“To be at his level, you have to have a lot of strengths,” says Merino Sky Sports. Two of the biggest for me are the desire to win, that killer mentality that he has, which we as players have to develop and want to develop in order to win.
“And also attention to detail. There's not a single detail in training that he doesn't look at. That's what makes him such a good coach.”
Is Arteta's Arsenal squad now close to being complete? “He's got the right squad now and he's built the players into world-class players,” says Reiss Nelson, who started Arteta's first game in charge in 2019 and is now on loan at Fulham. Sky Sports.
“He did an incredible job. Congratulations on what he accomplished there.”