"I find it quite startling that Mikel Arteta isn't under pressure at Arsenal. Every season I've written this column, I always say at some time in the season: when will the criticism of Mikel Arteta happen? And the only reason I can think why he doesn't criticise is because he has this uncanny ability to go into his next press conference with a big, beaming smile, as if he's just put out a team that's beaten Real Madrid 6-0. It's remarkable."
"And I think to myself, that's quite bold for a manager that's only won one major trophy. The reality is if he was a golfer, and we kept on talking about him as an elite golfer, but in the last five years he hadn't won a major, would be saying, well, he's not an elite golfer. And I think you could say the same about him as an elite manager."
"It feels like there is a force-fed mythology that he had to turn around Arsenal that were finishing out at the top 10 all the time. They weren't bottom half of the table, they were firmly 6th, 7th, 8th. And all they needed was somebody to come in and buy two or three players. It wasn't major surgery that was needed where they were finished 16th or 17th, like a Man United or a Spurs"
Arsenal began the season with two wins but suffered a damaging defeat to Liverpool that left them playing catch-up to the reigning champions. The season is pivotal for Arsenal and for Mikel Arteta, who has won only one FA Cup since becoming manager. Limited major silverware has increased expectations and pressure on the manager. He consistently projects confidence at press conferences, often appearing upbeat despite results. The lack of recent major honours casts doubt on elite-manager status. Some argue that Arsenal previously occupied mid-table positions and required targeted signings rather than wholesale rebuilding.
Read at www.caughtoffside.com
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