Speaking on talkSPORT, Arsenal legend Lee Dixon has delivered a ringing endorsement of Mikel Arteta’s first few games in charge.
What did he say?
Having been in the stands for the draw against Everton, Arteta has presided over a win, a draw and a loss in the three games he has been on the touch-line since being appointed as Unai Emery’s permanent successor.
The Spaniard got his first win of his managerial career at the Emirates with a fine 2-0 victory over Manchester United on New Year’s Day, and Dixon has insisted he is already seeing signs of major improvement from the Gunners.
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He said: “I don’t want to go overboard on his progress three games in, but there are definitely signs. The Emirates hasn’t been like that in many years – it almost sent goose bumps down my spine. It was probably one of the worst United performances I’ve seen for a very long time, so let’s not get carried away about who we were playing. They were terrible last night!
“He’s not going to go in and get in the top four in the first six months – that is not going to happen. It is a long-term project; there is no doubt about that.”
Fans back on side
As Dixon alludes to, one of the biggest improvements and changes that has occurred since Arteta took over the reins, is the atmosphere created by the Arsenal fans particularly in his first two home games. Even despite seeing their side throw away a lead to lose against Chelsea in the dying embers of the clash, the Gunners supporters inside the ground at the Emirates never booed, or left early. They gave their players an ovation in recognition of how they had performed.
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And then on New Year’s Day, they responded brilliantly to the ways players themselves took the game to United. Every tackle and 50/50 that was won was cheered, whilst whenever there were signs of the team looking to close the visitors down with intent, the crowd roared them on. In Emery’s final few games in charge, the supporters looked lost and were on thin ice. Arteta appears to have won them over in this short time already.
Meanwhile, Arsenal fans have lauded this man’s outstanding performance against Manchester United.
