How Arteta overcame setbacks, crises and boos to defy the doubters at Arsenal

Arsenal’s managing director Vinai Venkatesham met with Mikel Arteta after Arteta presented a five-year plan to rebuild the club following Arsene Wenger’s departure and Unai Emery’s unsuccessful succession. Arsenal executives believed Arteta had won the interview round in 2018, but concerns remained about appointing a 36-year-old rookie over the more experienced Emery. Venkatesham pushed for Arteta while trying not to antagonise Manchester City, where Arteta was Pep Guardiola’s assistant, requiring discretion. A leaked photo of Venkatesham leaving Arteta’s home caused embarrassment and displeasure from City. Arteta was announced a week later after negotiations. His first match at Bournemouth on Boxing Day offered an early warning as the club faced the challenge of rebuilding a squad and closing tactical gaps.

"Arteta had just outlined a hugely impressive five-year plan to rebuild a club reeling from Arsene Wenger's departure and Unai Emery's failed succession. Venkatesham stepped into his car and was driven away with his colleague Huss Fahmy. The club were about to take a huge gamble, but one with which they were increasingly comfortable. For many Arsenal executives, Arteta had won the interview round in 2018 when Wenger left. Yet it seemed too much to ask a 36-year-old rookie to manage a seismic transition and Emery had pedigree and experience; Arteta had charisma and a strong playing record."

"It was important not to antagonise Manchester City, where he was Pep Guardiola's assistant. Discretion was essential. Which was why Venkatesham was puzzled to be woken early that morning by a phone call from Arsenal's media chief telling him to look at the Sun. The first he knew he had been photographed leaving Arteta's house was when the images were published online. It was, to put it mildly, an embarrassment. There was displeasure from City, said one source. Noises were made at boardroom level."

"Arteta, who was announced as head coach a week later after several days of somewhat fraught negotiations, could have joined Arsenal's staff when he quit as a player in 2016. But even some at the club told him that joining Guardiola at City would be the equivalent of a master's degree in coaching. The prognosis for the new Arsenal manager did not look promising when he stepped out at Bournemouth on Boxing Day for his first game. His five-year plan outlined how the club had fallen behind."

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