Steve McClaren has told ESPN that Mikel Arteta has two crucial aspects that will allow the Spaniard to succeed as Arsenal manager in time, including having Stan Kroenke as owner.
The former England boss believes Arteta will need time to get things right at the Emirates Stadium. He is approaching two-years in the job after replacing Unai Emery at the helm in December 2019. But results have proven difficult and unimpressive this season.
Arsenal opened the Premier League campaign with their worst start in the club’s 118-year history with three-straight defeats without scoring. They have since beaten Norwich City and Burnley 1-0, but did not produce entirely convincing performances against either side.
But beating Norwich and Burnley has seemingly reduced some of the pressure on Arteta’s position as Arsenal manager. They now host Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday striving to reach the Last 16 and a third-straight win.
McClaren feels what Arsenal are showing on the pitch is positive for Arteta as players are buying into his ambitions. He adds the Gunners hierarchy are also, seemingly, ready to back the 39-year-old through thick and thin. Which will only help him to succeed in the job.
“The reality is that, to get the right culture in place, you need players and staff who buy into it,” he said. “You can see that Mikel is trying to do that at Arsenal, and all I hear within the game is that the owners are totally behind him and prepared to back him through what will undoubtedly be a tough period. But they will reap the benefits at the other end. He has a good backroom staff and, it seems, good owners. Both are absolutely crucial.”
Should Arsenal give Arteta time to turn things around, like McClaren suggests?
Arteta has been in charge at Arsenal for almost year-years and offered occasional signs to suggest he can be a success. But beating Chelsea in the 2020 FA Cup final was a red herring. And beating the Blues last December, again, eased pressure, but without long-term gains.
McClaren is right to note the Arsenal hierarchy backed Arteta, given how much they spent on transfers this summer. The Gunners’ £157m outlay was the most in the Premier League. Spending £50m on Ben White, £34m on Martin Odegaard and £30m on Aaron Ramsdale.
The Emirates Stadium hierarchy – having only recouped £25m – will want a return on their investment they are yet to see. So, Arteta will need to maintain and build on Arsenal’s form for McClaren’s expectations to ring true. No matter how much the board have backed him.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
