Rio Ferdinand has heaped praise on the Arsenal board on BT Sport’s Premier League Tonight over the loyalty they have given to Gunners manager Mikel Arteta – with the North Londoners starting to reap the rewards on the pitch.
On Sunday, Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League table. A brilliant 3-2 win over a stuttering Liverpool at The Emirates sees the Gunners continue to edge ahead of Manchester City – winning 24 points from a possible 27.
Despite the signing of Erling Haaland, City still sit second. While Pep Guardiola’s side are still seen as the nailed-on favourites to win the Premier League title, Arsenal continue to keep plugging along – winning game by games.
With Arsenal continuing to improve, and securing their best win of the season on Sunday, Ferdinand was impressed. He decided to praise the Arsenal board for sticking by Arteta during the process, when times were not as good.
“One thing you have to give Arsenal credit for is the hierarchy. They have given him plenty of time, the amount of times I heard Arsenal fans saying they need to sack Arteta. They were aimless at times,” Ferdinand said.
“But now they have a balance, some fantastic young players. It is working. All the parts of the machine are working. Arteta is an example to clubs that are chopping and changing, that some clubs need a plan, time, and consistency.”
Ferdinand praises Arsenal board for Arteta loyalty after Liverpool win
Ferdinand is right. Arsenal could have easily sacked the Spaniard. The start to last season was woeful, but that was hardly Arteta’s fault – with numerous players missing. They have stuck by him, and it is getting better and better.
He has got rid of players that have a questionable attitude – Mesut Ozil, Matteo Guendouzi, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Replacing them, he and Edu have signed players that are hungry. Young, but experienced.
They now have an identity. £160k-a-week Arteta’s has increased the standard and it even sees players like Emile Smith-Rowe, Kieran Tierney and plenty of top stars struggle to start. They are certainly title contenders, this season.
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