Finally the bride? Arsenal's rise from disappointment to the cusp of greatness, as told by those who were there along the way

"When you lose and lose comfortably it's as if the ground beneath your knees swallows you up whole. The night was May 16, 2022 an evening that defined a blossoming Arsenal side, crushed underfoot by Newcastle, 2-0. It wasn't the first time that Arteta's tender team had neatly folded at the opportune moment. It may have been the most definitive."

"Arsenal were soft yet again a label haunting the Emirates Stadium since the famous Highbury clock declared its first kick-off of the new era. That night, Arteta vowed that never again would his men be accused of lacking steel, finding as much in common with the ferocious philosophy of George Graham's compactness as he had from Arsene Wenger's evocative expressionism."

"What did Arteta do? Build a wall! was the assessment from Graham himself, speaking to FourFourTwo. A wall became a fort, with hard-earned notches against rivals. Extensions were added, renovations readily realisable, and in time, Arteta's cathedral emerged from the smoke."

Arsenal suffered a decisive 2-0 loss to Newcastle United on May 16, 2022, at St James' Park, exposing the team's lack of mental toughness and physical resilience. The defeat exemplified a pattern of Arsenal collapsing under pressure at crucial moments. Manager Mikel Arteta and midfielder Granit Xhaka acknowledged the team's softness, with Xhaka demanding players show courage and commitment. Following this humbling experience, Arteta committed to transforming Arsenal's mentality and defensive approach, drawing inspiration from George Graham's compact philosophy while maintaining attacking principles. Over nearly four years, Arteta systematically rebuilt the team, establishing a stronger foundation and creating a more formidable Arsenal side capable of competing with rivals.

Read at www.fourfourtwo.com