And this is because “Questions are starting to surface about how long he can continue without securing a major trophy.” And that of course, is true – but it should be added that those questions are only being asked by odd-balls and journalists. Most of us remember that when Arteta took over the management of the team, they had just won two games out of the last 14, beating Vitória Guimarães in the Europa League 3-2 at home, and West Ham away in the league.
Now I know many people claim such facts are irrelevant and that all that matters is winning something, but the fact is that a lot of managerial appointments actually result in the club doing worse than they were before. Which is why and how Tottenham Hots have had 14 managers in the last 18 years and still ended up one place above relegation last season.
Of course, a few people then say “but yes, Tottenham won the Euorpa last season” and therefore the 17th place in the League last season doesn’t matter. Maybe that is right, they are of course on the same number of points as Arsenal, although with a much, much easier sequence of games in the league. But maybe we will learn a little more tonight.
But be that as it may, according to the Express, “Arteta’s accomplishments were under the spotlight prior to the Bilbao trip,” and according to them “Arsenal [were] handed immediate Eberechi Eze problem.”
So why is the Express today running the piece“Arsenal latest as Mikel Arteta warned about the sack”
Well, the next paragraph gives us a clue as to what is going on, as it reads, “Former Premier League forward Stan Collymore has issued a stark warning to Arteta, advising another trophyless season could see him sacked.”
Now there are two issues here. One is of course, whether Stan Colluymore is what in the journalists’ world we might call a “credible source” and the other is whether a comment from Collymore that Arteta could be sacked can be taken seriously as a warning that he could be sacked.
And the Express won’t let it go at that, as they also have the headline “Arsenal handed immediate Eberechi Eze problem.”
Of course, it is not just Arsenal that suffers this sort of bonkers negativity daily, but it is a fact that some people do read the Express and some people do believe all this stuff, and such commentary does then get reflected on radio phone-ins and the like. It then becomes unsettling for players (not all of whom are that bright) and is used by their managers.
And yes, managers do like using this sort of tripe, because every transfer rumour that a player manager gets his man involved in means more money for the player’s manager. And when we remember that most player managers look after several players, we can see where most of their money comes from.
Of course, it is not all negative tripe. The Guardian does at least admit to reality with Gabriel Martinelli’s instant impact, and notes the fact that Arteta has called such players “Impactors.” The opposition were not really noticing the player since they thought he would need time to settle down. He did, but not in the way they imagined. As Arteta said, “Sometimes you just need a second to change the history of a football club.”
Still, football is more than just Arsenal as we were reminded with the headline from The Guardian. “Serie C club Crotone placed under judicial administration due to mafia infiltration” I’m glad they are keeping an eye on things.
