Four years on from a tumultuous period, Arsenal’s hierarchy receive a stark reminder of just how far the club has come with Mikel Arteta at the helm. On Saturday, the Gunners host Everton, determined to keep pace with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League, a stark contrast to the crisis that loomed in December 2020.
Last weekend saw Arsenal falter with a 1-1 draw against Fulham, allowing Liverpool to maintain a healthy six-point cushion at the summit, with a game in hand. Dropping points again against the Toffees at the Emirates would spell disaster, creating an uphill battle for Arteta’s squad, who came agonizingly close to securing the title in the previous two campaigns.
As supporters and players alike brace for this crucial clash, it’s essential to reflect on what transpired when the North London club last faced Everton on December 19, 2020. Back then, a beleaguered Arteta found himself navigating his first managerial crisis, with his team struggling in the relegation zone. The squad, featuring the likes of Nicolas Pepe, Eddie Nketiah, Dani Ceballos, and Willian, suffered a disheartening 2-1 defeat courtesy of a Rob Holding own goal and a Yerry Mina header.
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That loss marked a dismal sequence of one win and seven defeats in ten league encounters, with Arteta’s side managing to net just four goals. The pressure mounted on the Spaniard, with many calling for his head. However, staunch support came from an unexpected quarter: Jamie Carragher. The Sky Sports pundit, during half-time of that Everton match, implored the Arsenal board to provide Arteta with the time he needed to turn things around.
“For Arsenal to get back to where they want to be, they will have to go through a lot of pain and they will do,” asserted the Liverpool icon. He highlighted the potential of recent signings like Gabriel Magalhaes and Thomas Partey, while emphasizing the need for further reinforcements in the January transfer window.
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“If Arteta can get six or seven players in then he can be judged on the job that he’s doing. The recruitment has been shocking, absolutely shocking these last few years for Arsenal,” Carragher declared. Fast forward to today, it seems the pundit’s insights have proven to be prescient.
A resounding 3-1 victory over Chelsea on Boxing Day helped shift the Gunners’ fortunes, setting the stage for a turnaround that saw them finish the season in eighth place. The subsequent summer transfer window brought key signings, including Ben White, Aaron Ramsdale, Martin Odegaard, and Takehiro Tomiyasu. After narrowly missing out on Champions League qualification by two points to rivals Tottenham at the conclusion of the 2021/22 season, Arsenal began to re-establish themselves as a competitive force.
With Arteta’s precise coaching, innovative tactics, and acute eye for talent, the club returned to Champions League football and subsequently fell just short of clinching their first league title in two decades last season, finishing a mere two points adrift.
Today, as a self-professed perfectionist, Arteta feels the mounting pressure from fans and pundits alike for tangible success in the form of silverware. While his aspirations have markedly evolved since 2020, another defeat against Everton could jeopardize his long-term vision at the club. Arsenal stand at a crucial crossroads, and a win is imperative to instill confidence and stability moving forward.
