Mikel Arteta has convinced Arsenal fans – their belief remains unwavering

New York Times

19-05-2025

Adopting a Churchillian persona comes more naturally to Mikel Arteta than most managers.
But, as he delivered his customary curtain-closing address to a captive audience at the Emirates Stadium, the supporters' reaction felt as important as his choice of words.
In 2023, Arsenal were a surprise package. The Emirates was a permanent sugar rush, in love with the idea of a team who were genuine title challengers again. The message was simple: they wanted to stay there.
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Last year, having lost just once in their final 19 games and pushed the Manchester City juggernaut to the finish line, there was a sense that they had witnessed a team who had maxed out. 'Keep pushing because we want more, and we are gonna get it,' was the rousing message.
This time, there was more persuasion required. Unlike last season's finale against Everton, when they arrived still dreaming of the helicopter changing direction, the only thing on the line against Newcastle United was securing their status as the best of the rest.
They achieved that, overcoming a difficult first half like the Anfield draw last week, to win 1-0 and secure Champions League football with a game to spare. It means they have finished as runners-up three years in a row, the only Premier League side to do so since Arsene Wenger's Arsenal between 1999 and 2001.
That can be a fatiguing experience, however, particularly when compounded by bruising semi-final losses in the Carabao Cup and Champions League.
With no silverware to toast, after Newcastle ended a decades-long drought and Crystal Palace won their first major trophy, there could easily have been an emptiness that filled the stadium at full time.
Arteta sought to reframe the narrative and apply a full stop to a season when fortune seems to have been constantly running away from them.
'We had a dream, and it was to be here today or in a week's time and to bring a trophies to you guys,' he said, as his voice began to croak with emotion. 'Unfortunately we haven't been able to do it for many circumstances… but make sure that chasing a dream doesn't get blurry.
'I know what these players have been through this season… any other club in this position would finish in a position that we cannot even dream of. This group of players, I'm telling you, they have the hunger, they have the quality, they have the talent and we're gonna make it happen.'
💬 'It's an incredible connection that we have built.'
Mikel on the fantastic support throughout the season 👇
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 18, 2025
If this was a test of whether the supporters were still behind the manager and his team, the noise that greeted his speech was an emphatic 'yes'.
The temperature of online discourse can often provide a false reading of a fanbase's opinion on a manager or a team.
As the players performed a lap of honour in front of an almost full stadium, there was no sense this was a group of supporters giving up or losing faith.
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It felt like mission achieved for Arteta, who wanted to ensure that the fans left the stadium invigorated for a fourth and final push.
This season's climb was burdened after an injury contagion and six red cards.
Ever since Mikel Merino broke his shoulder in his first training session in August, it has felt destined that glory was not going to be on the menu but Arteta wanted to underline that he believes there has been progress, despite disputes from those on the outside.
'If we cannot see that, that's a really, really dangerous thing. Just expecting something, that's a really dangerous thing,' he said.
'I know what we've been through for nine and a half months, what we've done. I know very well the history of this Premier League, and the teams that they've been, not in 70 per cent of the situations that we've been in, they have collapsed, completely collapsed. We haven't. I really value that, because that shows that we have built something very sustainable and consistent. Regardless, some people don't like to see it.'
If Arteta is attempting to create a siege mentality, it could be a powerful ingredient in helping his players find the extra edge to claim a major trophy.
The conditions for winning the Premier League next season also look more favourable.
Liverpool have won comfortably but they are not the untouchable team that Manchester City were when winning four in a row.
With City having dropped off this season, too, major additions in the forward line could see Arsenal start as favourites in many people's books.
Arteta had a thinly-veiled message for the board on that subject as he told Sky Sports he wanted to 'make sure the ones upstairs know to do what they have to do' in the summer.
He stressed the importance of making the existing squad feel loved upon their return but after going full pelt for three seasons, can they realistically give any more without experiencing a drop off?
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'I will give my life here. I will give everything,' Arteta said. 'I will get every drop of everybody there, squeeze it to get the best. But promise? I cannot promise. I cannot.
'Any manager is going to promise tomorrow, next season, I'm going to win the Premier League or the Champions League. If I have to do that, I don't do it, because I cannot promise anybody that. My best and the best of these players are going to try and go mad chasing that.'
Arsenal have proven themselves to be an extremely consistent team. They have not lost against a 'big six' side in two seasons and are a team with a clear identity, but you can only finish empty-handed for so long.
The core of this team are in their peak years now and a long list of contracts needing extended.
The majority of match-going fans clearly still believe that Arteta and this team can bring home silverware and that it is just a matter of time. The key players need validation soon.
This season was meant to be the one, but the failure to do so comes laced with reasonable caveats. Next year, however, no matter the hurdles, conclusions will only be written in absolutes. Arsenal need to win.