Got to wait until the end of the season for me, but I am happy that we can focus on improving and developing, rather than the threat of relegation and the pressures that brings.
Defensively, there can be no question, he has improved the side. He has managed to get the team into a cohesive shape while getting back to a back four, and has to be given credit for that.
His attacking patterns, still need a lot of work. The over reliance of individuals like Saka and Tierney, shows that Arteta still is still learning how to get the best out of the group.
Lastly, you can’t compare him to Emery. In Emery’s first season, although we finished 5th, apart from a spell in the first half of the season, we were truly shocking. If in doubt, look at the Watford (1-0 victory) where they were down to 10 men, the defeat to Crystal Palace 2-3, or the absolutely shocking defeat to Leicester 0-3, where literally they could have scored 7 or 8. Every team seemed to outshoot us under Emery, even the relegation candidates.
Even at our worst this season, we have been relatively close in every game.
I think I would give Arteta another year, but let’s see how the rest of the season pans out.
