You never know how far you are from Mikel Arteta’s analogy, but eventually that analogy will come.
The Arsenal manager spoke to Sky Sports about what it’s like for new players to join this squad and the challenges of integrating them into his system.
“It’s like shaping a pencil,” Arteta said. These were the words uttered without hesitation from the club’s practice field. “It’s something you always have to adjust to.”
The topic is apt, given the vast array of options at the Arsenal manager’s disposal. And for Arteta himself, continued adjustment is something Arteta has faced all season.
The Gunners have faced constant injuries at both ends of the pitch throughout the season, putting Arteta’s team management skills to the test, as well as eight new signings to integrate across the pitch. There is one goalkeeper, two defenders, two sitting midfielders, two flare attackers, and one center forward, half of whom are new to the league.
Due to these injuries, most of these players have been needed at key moments of the season, with the possible exception of backup options Kepa Arrizabalaga and Christian Norgaard.
Matching six players to the speed of this Arsenal team is difficult for a variety of reasons. Not only do the new players face the high pressure of playing in a world-famous team that has to win, but there is also a complex tactical structure at the club that Arteta has developed over the years using his core players.
But the Arsenal manager has plans for that. He asks a series of questions before potential new signings join the club.
He takes advantage of what he asked Victor Gokeres before arriving at the club. “I always train with the players,” Arteta said.
Victor Gokeres is still waiting for his Arsenal career to take off
“He came to a new country with Victor, can he speak the language? What is the situation with his family? Because he is very sheltered there (with his family), but he comes here and is exposed on his own and has to live in a hotel for five months.”
“Then, when I started coming here, the schedule changed. I had to play every three days in the most demanding league in the world that I’ve ever played in.
“And it’s a different system, a different methodology, different teammates. And the No. 9 needs that synergy and chemistry with them.
“Then comes the environment, the pressure, the expectations. There’s a lot of factors to deal with and these are really young guys. But they all have a great attitude about it.”
As Arteta says, that incredible attitude is needed – especially in Gokeres’ case, with the striker not scoring in 10 games from open play. But he’s not the only one facing difficulties. Not everyone in Arsenal’s squad will be able to play.
For example, Noni Maduke scored twice against Club Brugge, but did not feature in the next three Premier League games. Eberechi Eze has been on the bench in the last four games and has not played a single minute. His hat-trick in the North London derby feels like a lifetime ago.
“Noni has played a lot of games,” Arteta says of these two situations. “Evs has played more games with us now than he played before January.”
So what does he say to disgruntled players? “If they have questions, you have to explain it clearly to them. Paint the context of why they are here and how they are contributing.
“And they’ve responded and managed very well because they really want it. They know that with our team, there’s an opportunity for everyone. When you get it, take it. And that’s what they’ve done.”
And just because they aren’t playing doesn’t mean his “rotated out” players don’t have a role. Throughout the season, Arsenal’s manager has consistently praised his players’ attitude towards training.
“My judgment on a player is to understand how he plays his role,” Arteta said.
“Kepa? Nine times out of ten. I can’t believe it.
“Christian Norgaard? I can’t believe it.
“Victor? Very good. OK, he can score more goals, but every other aspect is exceptional.”
“It’s the same with Mikel Merino. Declan Rice is doing incredibly well, but he’s getting a lot of minutes while other players are playing less. Mikel has to play as a number nine at that time, which is extraordinary.”
“The non-negotiables are winning, the attitude to support the team, the energy, the drive, all these things you have to do.”
And there is a flip side to this team dilemma. Although Maduke and Eze have been sidelined for a period of time, there is an argument that the standards of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard have improved in their respective positions they are competing for.
Arsenal have seen an improvement in the level of performance from Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard in recent weeks.
We’ve seen that in recent weeks, with Odegaard back to his best with two assists and a goal in his last three games. Eze may not be playing these days, but his presence is still there.
And in last weekend’s game against Bournemouth, Saka took just a few minutes to set up Declan Rice, who was rotated out to replace Madueke, who was instrumental in Arsenal’s opening goal.
“It always raises the bar,” says Arteta. “The standards are even higher in training.
“I think you also learn from your teammates, all the qualities that they bring, how they operate, how they do everything, which is really good.”
The flip side of that is that Arsenal’s best-performing stars can be rotated in if necessary, as Saka did at Bournemouth on Saturday.
It’s worth noting that Saka has started on the bench for at least one game in every three-game week Arsenal have played since the start of December, including in the Premier League against Brentford and Bournemouth.
Arteta spoke last week about the need to change protocols around Saka after a season in which he was overplayed and at times plagued by injuries, and admitted he had learned from previous campaigns about how to manage players.
“We have to be very smart about Saka’s rotation,” Arteta said. “The amount of time he’s played, the workload he’s going through as well.
“I think it’s unique at his age and since he started with us. I wanted to protect him to get the best out of him, that’s the ultimate goal.”
The huge depth of the squad that Arteta has at his disposal is one of the many differences between this season and last season. And the Arsenal manager admitted, “It feels different.”
There’s a good reason for that. Usually, Arsenal’s results and attacking quality drop during the festive period. However, this season they have gained the most points.
Arsenal drew each of their last five Premier League games last season and have the most points this season.
Even the transfer period feels different. Arsenal are not rushing to fill holes in their squad and are taking a relaxed approach given the options available to them. Rather, you can plan for the future.
What a difference a year can make in Arteta’s Arsenal world. This time last year they had played more games than Liverpool and were six points adrift at the top of the Premier League. A year has passed and the situation has changed 180 degrees.
Thursday, January 8th 7pm
Kickoff at 8pm
Arsenal currently have a huge lead at the top of the Premier League. They are five points behind in the game, which coincidentally is against Liverpool and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports on Thursday night.
“It’s an important game for us because it’s against the champions,” Arteta said.
“It’s special, it’s different.”
Watch Arsenal vs Liverpool live on Sky Sports Premier League on Thursday nights from 7pm to 8pm kick-off
