Mikel Arteta has rebounded from a disappointing first season in charge of Arsenal to get his side competing at the top of the Premier League once again this season. It took a lot to get there though, with a number of incomings and outgoings at the club.
Several experienced players left the Emirates Stadium, while some youngsters joined in a revolution led by the Spaniard. Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Martin Odegaard all joined and have played important roles this season.
A number of academy graduates have also come to the fore this season, with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe stepping up to the big stage when called upon. It has led the Gunners to fourth in the Premier League in their pursuit of a Champions League place.
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With games against Manchester United, Chelsea, West Ham and Tottenham all to come before the end of the season, it’s not a done deal that the Gunners will make a return to the Champions League. However, they are in pole position, and look set to return to Europe in some capacity after a year without it.
It has laid down the early foundations of a side that could compete at the top for years to come, especially with players that are far from their peak yet and a manager that is improving. It’s something backed up by Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette, who praised his coach recently.
The Frenchman told Mundo Deportivo: "Arteta is the leader, the boss, even the boss of the club. Since he arrived, a lot of things have changed, including everyone’s mentality… It’s all because of him."
It marks the start of what Arteta is hoping to be a long stay at the Emirates as he celebrates his 40th birthday. When asked about his hopes for when he turns 50, the former midfielder told the Arsenal official website: "I think I will look older, that's for sure! I will have some more grey hair but I think I will still have the same passion about what I do.
"Hopefully by then we will have been able to take the club to a different level. I hope we'll have made our people very proud of what we've done."
There will be a hope that he can deliver on that dream, with plenty more to come from him and his young team in the future.
