Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi has admitted that the club have benefitted from the appointment of Mikel Arteta as their new manager.
Arteta was brought in to replace Unai Emery last December and as per Mustafi, the ex-Gunners midfielder has managed to bring in a new philosophy into the club due to which almost every player has benefitted.
“Each one of us has benefitted from this arrival,” Mustafi said, as reported by The Mirror.
“He has brought a very clear identity and a very clear idea of how he wants to play football, but at the same time he gives you space to make your own decisions because you are on the pitch and you know exactly what the coach wants from you.
“I think as well he has been listening into the changing room and listening to the players to find out why things were not working out before. Sometimes we don’t realise how difficult it is to be a coach because you have so many people that you have to make follow your idea.
“Sometimes players are happy, sometimes players that don’t play are not so happy, so it is not easy to have all on board and all agreeing with your ideas and philosophy.
“But he has managed to do that and in this short period it has been something very difficult to do, but he has done it. That is why we created a bit of momentum and we are heading in the right direction.”
Have Arsenal improved under Mikel Arteta?
‘Perform or perish,’ this has been the mantra from Arteta since the very first day and to be honest there have been a number of improvements in the team but most of it has been transpiring behind the scenes.
The players are still to carry that belief onto the pitch and this process might that a few more months along with a number of new signings.
Mikel Arteta has already ear-marked a few players who have not been able to embody the message that he has brought into the side meaning sooner or later, they will be shown the exit door.
And much like any other manager, the Spaniard will need a few more transfer windows before he truly set up a starting XI as per his liking.
