Arsenal defender Rob Holding has discussed the impact that Mikel Arteta has had at the club.
Mikel Arteta was appointed as Arsenal manager in December 2019, taking over from Unai Emery at the Emirates Stadium, following Freddie Ljungberg’s interim stint in charge. The Arsenal job became Arteta’s first as a manager, having previously served as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City.
Things weren’t always easy for Arteta in his first couple of seasons at the helm. An FA Cup triumph in 2020 aside, there wasn’t a huge amount for the north London club to celebrate, as they registered back-to-back eighth-place finishes in the Premier League in 2020 and 2021.
However, things have turned a corner since then, and the Gunners came close to winning the Premier League title last season. Arsenal are back in the Champions League, are eyeing up another title push, and the fanbase is united and excited.
Why Pele Is Overrated.
Arteta has revolutionised the club in many ways, on and off the pitch. The players have embraced the Spanish coach’s vision and approach, and are reaping the benefits of the faith that the Arsenal hierarchy showed in the manager when the going was tough.
MORE ARSENAL STORIES
Holding discusses the Arteta effect
Despite having seen his game time diminish in the last few seasons, Rob Holding recognises the positive impact Arteta has had. Having been at the club since 2016, the centre-back has worked under Arsene Wenger, Emery, and Arteta, so is well-placed to assess the current manager’s impact.
Speaking on the Timbsy YouTube channel, the 27-year-old has discussed Arteta’s methods. He said, “there’s loads of information…everyone knows this is what we want, what the manager wants us to play like…we know that the ball is going to go there, so we can be in position for the next situation…there’s like a harmony, when it flows right…you’ve got to do it his way, and everyone has that willingness to do it that way as well.”
Arteta has also changed the culture of the club. In seeking to develop a warm, safe environment, the players’ loved ones have been welcomed somewhat into the fold, and are invited along to BBQs at the training ground and training camps abroad. This is a major change, and goes against the norm at a lot of clubs. As Holding explained, “this is another thing that Arteta’s big on, is including the family.”