Mikel Arteta has already achieved what so many had deemed impossible during his early days in the Arsenal dugout.
The Spaniard was quickly written off with the Gunners continuing the slump which had set in well before Arsene Wenger ’s emotional departure. Unai Emery, a manager rich with European pedigree, failed to arrest the decline and lasted less than two years.
But in the three-and-a-bit years since his own appointment, Arteta has Arsenal in the driving seat for a first Premier League title in almost 20 years. Manchester City are sure to take them right to the end of the season, but their upward ascension is noteworthy regardless.
The comparisons with Wenger, the last man to bring a title to north London, were unsurprising. After all, Arteta’s current crop play in a similar free-flowing vein to the great Arsenal teams he built, while also having the nasty streak which made them so formidable.
But it’s a trait shared with Wenger’s great rival - and now friend - which could ensure the Emirates plays host to successful football for years to come. Sir Alex Ferguson built a dynasty at Manchester United and refused to be stuck in the moment, even if his side were the dominant one in the country.
“Obviously I won’t be taking my foot off the pedal, that’s not in my nature, and I will certainly be looking for my players to lead the way for me,” he said after guiding United to their first Premier League title in 1993.
Ferguson earned a reputation for never resting on his laurels and was always willing to refresh his squad from a position of success. Arteta admitted the “brutal” side of the fiery United legend was an inspiration in the few times they had encountered one another.
Arteta said: “I have had a few conversations with Sir Alex, not formally, just with people around him and it was more listening than talking obviously. What really captured me was his presence, his charisma, the way he talked and how honest and brutal he was about certain opinions that he had about the game and players.”
And that forthright view of the game could be coming into view, with reports Arteta is already planning ways to revamp his title-chasing squad. The Times report that the Gunners boss is planning a blockbuster move for West Ham's Declan Rice, as well as another midfielder, a winger, a central defender and a left-back.
There is an acceptance that players will have to go to fund that kind of outlay and ironically, that could see Arteta dispense with the services of Sir Alex’s favourite Arsenal player.
The proud Scotsman has extolled the virtues of his compatriot Kieran Tierney, speaking in 2021: “I do think Scotland have some very good midfield players, and I’m not sure how they’re gonna play Robertson and Tierney in the same team,” he explained.
"I know there were some situations where they played Tierney as the third centre-back, but the form of Tierney since he’s gone to Arsenal has been phenomenal.”
That verdict appears that it will count for naught however, with Arteta seemingly set on Oleksandr Zinchenko for his inverted left-back role. Signed for £25million from Celtic, there is a belief that Arsenal would be able to get the majority of that fee back from a new club.
But nevertheless, Ferguson’s no-nonsense and ruthless style of squad management, may ultimately see Tierney used as a makeweight for the next phase of Arteta’s plan in the capital.
