Arsenal have got off to a strong start this season under Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal currently sit third in the Premier League table, just one point behind leaders and title-holders Manchester City, with only one defeat blemishing their record. This is an excellent record given the challenges Mikel Arteta has already had to face this season.
Thing have not been perfect for the Gunners. Performances have lacked cohesion at times, but still, the north London club have found ways to grind out victories, much to the manager’s credit. Arsenal legend David Seaman has even admitted his surprise at how many points his former club have picked up.
There have been wins over Manchester City and Manchester United already this season, and statement performances against Sheffield United, Bournemouth, and PSV Eindhoven.
The Spanish coach has received criticism for some of his antics in recent weeks, but there can be no denying that Arteta is doing a lot of things right at Arsenal at this time.
Three things Mikel Arteta has got right at Arsenal this season
Shaking things up at left-back
Oleksandr Zinchenko began the season as first-choice left-back. However, some indifferent form, and a number of impressive outings in the position from Takehiro Tomiyasu saw plenty of Arsenal fans calling for the Japanese ace to become the regular starter.
Tomiyasu was given the nod for some big games, and did well, but Zinchenko hit back, producing an excellent display against Burnley last time out. Arteta has managed this competition for minutes to perfection, bringing the best out of both players.
Gabriel Magalhaes back into the fold
Gabriel Magalhaes was surprisingly benched for the first three Premier League games of the season, as Arteta experimented with using Thomas Partey at right-back. The manager recognised this wasn’t working, though, and the £27 million Brazilian centre-back has flourished alongside William Saliba in the heart of the defence since coming back into the regular starting XI.
Dealt with injury crisis
So far this season, Arteta has had to deal with Partey, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard, Zinchenko, and Emile Smith Rowe, amongst others, all being sidelined with injury for various lengths of time.
Players of such calibre would be missed by any club, yet the manager has found a way to cope, and keep picking up results, without some of his star men to call upon. It should not be underestimated how impressive a feat that is.
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