Mikel Arteta's Arsenal Firing Again

 A defiant Mikel Arteta faced the media after a disappointing 1-1 draw at Turf Moor left his side 10 points off the top six. Brave faced, he declared that one day his Arsenal project was going to bang. In his own words," I think this project is going to go 'bang' and this is where we are. Sometimes it is difficult to see the moment now, but I'm sure where we are going."

That was a year ago and an engrossing summer transfer window later. Arsenal now sit in fourth place on 54 points, 5 behind Chelsea in third with a game in hand. The gunners are staunchly in the top four race. The first time in a long while that Arsenal fans are experiencing the thrill of a top four race again. Since the defeat to Everton on 14th December Arsenal have won 10 out of 14 Premier league games. Only defeats in that period have been to Liverpool and Manchester City. There's still a long way to go but his words ring true.

It's not just about the winning run, Arsenal have been playing some of the best football in the league. The Ødegaard goal vs Watford stands out. Ødegaard  plays a clever backheel to Saka, taking out two players in the process, who then returns to the Norwegian for a tidy finish into the bottom corner. That is just an example of goals worked on in training and executed to perfection on the pitch.

Martin Ødegaard acts as the conductor of the orchestra. Through Ødegaard, Mikel is able to dictate the game as he envisaged. The Norwegian feels at home and is finally showing glimpses of why he was so sought after as a teenager.  Ramsdale has excelled in the sweeper role while Ben White is arguably Arsenal's most important defender. 

Arsenal's resurgence comes in the wake of an important tactical switch by Mikel. The famed 4-3-3 has finally made it's way to the Emirates. Mikel has made it no secret since he arrived that in the long run his team would play a 4-3-3. A key part of the success of this formation has been the change in roles for Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka.

 The former is excelling in his new 6 role where he sits at the base of midfield dictating play and breaking down opposition attacks. Partey's calmness on the ball has enabled Arsenal to build their attacks and effectively progress the ball with ease. Xhaka is playing a slightly more advanced role. It's definitely not his favorite position but Granit has been playing his part. The little decoy runs to open up spaces for other creative players have been a key part of the success of Arsenal so far. This Arsenal side also has a team spirit Arsenal fans have not seen in a while. 

Arteta will be the first one to say that the gunners have not yet achieved anything. Tottenham, Manchester United and West Ham are all breathing down their necks in this race for the top four. It would be an amazing achievement for this young side if they were to qualify for the Champions League given the team was only recently assembled and lacks what you'd refer to as genuine superstars. Technical director Edu and Arsenal's hierarchy were reported to be targeting the 22/23 season for Arsenal to be competitive again. They're well and truly ahead of schedule. 

If you could sum up Arteta's reign at Arsenal in one word then ruthless would be it. In a space of two years the Arsenal boss has axed star names Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as well as Mesut Ozil. Auba's departure from the club in January after fall out with Mikel was a measure of just how much influence Arteta has at Arsenal and how much the hierarchy believe in the project. Arsene Wenger's last years at Arsenal were plagued with ill discipline and a shocking drop in player standards compared to Arsene's earlier years. Arteta has moved swiftly to address that with his list of non-negotiable demands. He talked about a culture change from day one.

There are bound to be twists and turns in this race for the top four. It may well come down to the small margins like a lack of goals from  Lacazette or an injury to a crucial player. Arsenal certainly have a tough final nine games and it will be a test of character for this new crop of players. 

However this ends, it has been a year of significant progress for Arsenal. Arsenal fans are loving their club again, Arsenal fans are loving football again spearheaded by their own young guns.