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Arsenal’s Journey Under Arteta: Culture Shift and Competitive Spirit

Arsenal has experienced a rollercoaster journey in recent seasons, marked by an FA Cup victory and a gradual resurgence in the Premier League standings. Following their cup triumph, the team faced challenges, finishing eighth in the league during the subsequent season.

However, the tide began to turn during the 2021-22 campaign, where they managed to secure fifth place. This performance laid a solid foundation, allowing Arsenal to re-establish themselves as serious title contenders in recent seasons, culminating in second-place finishes over the last two years.

Transforming the Club’s Culture

Central to this revival has been manager Mikel Arteta, who emphasized the importance of nurturing a positive culture within the club. Arteta stated that addressing the internal environment was one of his early priorities, acknowledging that the club’s foundation plays a crucial role in its overall success.

Arteta detailed his approach, saying he sought feedback on the club’s work environment through an external consultant. “What I did was basically ask, through somebody I employed, to give me their opinion of how they feel to work in this football club,” he explained. The results were revealing, indicating that significant changes were necessary.

“It was clear that it had to be changed,” Arteta continued. “If those roots were damaged at that level, there was nothing to build without that.” He stressed that fostering a healthy club culture was pivotal to Arsenal’s long-term success.

During his first season, Arteta focused heavily on ensuring the organization was in good shape, both in terms of morale and operations. “So in the first season, we had to put the energy and big decisions into making sure those roots were clean and were in the right context,” he noted. This foundational work created a viable platform for the team to evolve and thrive.

Looking Ahead

As Arsenal heads into another challenging match against Crystal Palace this weekend, they carry with them the fruits of Arteta’s efforts to revitalize the club’s spirit and competitiveness. The forthcoming matches will not only test their resolve but also demonstrate whether the cultural shift can translate into tangible success on the pitch.

Source
www.bbc.com