Mikel Arteta took charge of Arsenal back in December and a lot of pundits feel he’s the right man to fill up the void left behind by Arsene Wenger.
But pundit Paul Merson has talked a totally different turn by claiming that Mikel Arteta will find it really hard to bring back success at the Emirates in the coming few years.
Asked if Arsenal can get back their glory days under Mikel Arteta, Merson told Sky Sports, via Metro: ‘Even if Pep Guardiola was in charge, no. No I don’t at the moment.
‘Arsene Wenger used to say all the time: it’s all about the players. It’s all about the players and Arsenal’s players are not a good enough team, it’s not a good enough squad. I like Arteta, I really do, and I think he’ll do better than the last manager.
‘But at the same time to go and challenge for the title? I think they’re a million miles off. A million miles. They can’t defend.
‘I’m gonna go no, if I’m going to be honest. As I say, I don’t know any team that’s ever won anything that can’t defend. And if you can’t defend, you’re not going to win anything.
‘You can’t keep having to score three goals every game to try and nick a point or just win a game. So until he tightens that up, they’re going to be a million miles off. For me at the moment, no, I think this is going to be a slow, slow journey back for Arsenal.’
Jamie Redknapp agreed, adding: ‘Merse is right, it’s all about players. I like what he [Arteta] is doing, there’s no doubt he knows the game inside out and he’s worked with the best manager in terms of producing players and working with great players. But he hasn’t got great players at Arsenal.
‘I think it’s going to take a long time, a lot of investment. I think what’s happening right now, with the current climate, doesn’t help.
‘But I think he made a positive impact when he first came in, but he needs better players it’s as simple as that because they keep making so many bad defensive errors and he can’t change that.’
Mikel Arteta has clearly been handed a squad which looks completely disoriented both on and off the pitch which means the Spaniard will have to be given a lot of time so that he can restructure the side in his own vision.
So clearly success will not come overnight but we strongly believe if Mikel Arteta gets the backing of the board then he will be able to take the club back to the top-four.
