What Arteta Has Done At Arsenal That Wenger And Unai Emery Failed To Do

Mikel Arteta’s Gunners have kicked off the 2022-23 campaign like a house on fire as the Spaniard has done what Arsene Wenger and Unai Emery Failed to do at the Emirates.

It seems as though Arsenal hierarchy and supporters were right to ‘trust the process and place faith in the project Arteta is building at the Emirates.

After missing out on the top four for three straight seasons under Mikel Arteta, the early signs indicate that this is the campaign where Arteta will get it right.

Seven games, six wins, 17 goals, Arteta is getting the best out of every individual in his Arsenal team. Gabriel Martinelli is continuing to thrive, William Saliba has adapted to English football with ease, but perhaps the most improved performances from any Gunners player have been from Granit Xhaka in midfield.

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The Switzerland international has impressed at the start of the season, flourishing in a more advanced midfield role. Xhaka has more license to influence games in the final third, and his sublime assist for Gabriel Jesus’ goal against Brentford highlighted why he is been used further forward.

The 29-year-old has previously received significant criticism from Arsenal supporters and pundits for his displays when operating in a deeper midfield position.

Granit Xhaka

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy believes Arsene Wenger and Unai Emery used Xhaka in the wrong position and is only now being consistently played in his favored role under Arteta.

“Sometimes in my job, it’s nice to be proven right,” .

“I said about four or five years ago when I was heavily critical of Xhaka playing in a holding role.

“I felt for him because managers kept playing him in the wrong position. He’s a creative player, he’s got a great left foot, he’s got a great pass.

“He’s not the most athletic and he doesn’t spot danger particularly well – why he was ever playing in a holding role I don’t know. So there’s no surprise to me that we’re seeing him in a more forward role and thriving a little bit more.”