Mikel Arteta (MA) has already made his Arsenal champion after three years being ‘sub’ and six and a half years (since December 2019) after his arrival at a club where he was a player for five seasons (2011-16). This is the x-ray of the club’s change with him seen… from within.
Radical change after Wenger. After 22 years of ‘Wengerism’ (1996-2018), Arsenal, which achieved glory under the Frenchman, was also ossified in many structures. Unai Emery (July 2, 018-December 2019) tried and encountered obstacles, but did not obtain the support of the owners. Mikel, a man of the house, changed everything, from physical modifications to London Colney, the club’s home, to, more importantly, the energy that was breathed there.
Trust of the owners. Obviously, nothing would have been possible without the support of the majority owner of the AFC, the American Enos Stanley Kroenke, a magnate who also owns the Los Angeles Rams (NFL), the Denver Nuggets (NBA), the Colorado Avalanche (NHL) and the Colorado Rapids (MLS). The relationship with Mikel is extraordinary, now that it has been won and before, which was being built without winning ‘major trophies’.
Budget. Without money it is impossible to compete in the best League in the world (and the most inflated). And it is true that Mikel has been able to use his checkbook to build things. In his time, without counting income, the club has exceeded 1,000 million in signings, a figure, however, that is not far from or less than that of City, Chelsea or Liverpool.
Arteta, in the tree he planted in front of his office.
A symbol of change. A tree, the one you see in the image. We have once had the opportunity to be in Arteta’s office and in front of it is this tree, which the Basque planted when he arrived. It was a symbol. It had to be watered every day for it to grow, as I was doing with the club. Today, it is already a robust, healthy tree with a lot to grow. Quite a symbol.
Key signings. Raya, Rice and Odegaard. Of that money spent on signings, there have been several key names that today are the backbone of the team. David Raya came from Brentford in 2023 for 32 ‘kilos’; West Ham’s Declan Rice for 116 that same year; and captain Martin Odegaard for 35 in 2021 from Real. Established players but with room for improvement in the right context. All completed by great ‘helpers’ like Havertz or Mikel Merino and the two magical centre-backs: Saliba (30 kilos, St-Etiénne, 2029) and Gabriel (26, Lille, 2020).
Portfolio… and quarry. Saka, Skelly and Dowman. The Sobha Training Center Academy continues to bear fruit. With the former German player Mertesacker as leader (he has already left the club), some young people have settled in the MA team, such as Saka (24 years old), second captain of the team and offensive star of the team; the winger-midfielder Lewis-Skelly (19); or the English winger Max Dowman (16), who has already broken several precocity records at the club and in the Premier.
Technical body. MA is convinced of teamwork. “Always try to create synergies,” they tell us from within the club. He changed rooms, rooms… to be all together. They work like this. And he gives a lot of credit (the maximum) to his coaching staff, led by his French right-hand man, Nico Jover, whom he signed in 2021 and has revolutionized the club’s methodology, turning Arsenal into the best ‘still ball’ team in the world. The rest of the team (almost all Spaniards) is young and prepared, with Iñaki Caña (goalkeeping coach) in charge.
The future. Whoever thinks that this ends here does not know Mikel, who has energy, support and youth for much more. Mikel was renewed in 2024 until 2027, but, in reality, and more so with this Premier, his contract is symbolically for life. The degree of confidence of the owners in their project is infinite. There is ‘Artism’ for a while.
