Former Manchester United and Denmark goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel gave a brutally honest assessment of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal reign as the Gunners are set to go yet another season without a trophy under the Spaniard.
Arteta’s Arsenal reign so far
Mikel Arteta took over as Arsenal manager in December 2019, inheriting a struggling side. He won the FA Cup and Community Shield in his first season, providing early success. However, the Gunners are about to witness a fifth straight season without silverware.
The next two seasons that followed Arteta’s arrival were marked by inconsistency but the former Manchester City assistant coach gradually rebuilt the squad with a focus on youth, discipline and a clear tactical identity.
By the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons, the Gunners emerged as serious Premier League title contenders, finishing second in both seasons to Manchester City.
Arsenal are set for yet another second place finish this season although the Gunners are far behind champions Liverpool and never really mounted a serious challenge for the title.
Their recent Champions League semi-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain means the Gunners will finish yet another season without any trophy to show for their hard work.
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Schmeichel’s scathing verdict
With Arsenal fans set to witness another trophyless campaign, Schmeichel, who enjoyed a hugely successful career with rivals Manchester United believes Arteta is solely to blame.
“It’s all on Arteta, all,” Schmeichel said. “What I’m saying is, he was employed as head coach. He inherited the team and that team is the only team that he has won a trophy with.
“Then it’s his own team and then in the process, he’s now changed the job description so he’s now the manager. Everything is on him.”
“It’s not recruitment, it’s not the board. Whenever they [fans] get the opportunity today, watch him in the technical area. Arteta is a control freak, he wants his players to play the ball that he wants. He’s directing everything.
“Arteta is still playing the game for the players and that would confuse the hell out of me as a football player, that you had a coach that wants to direct me for everything I do. It would confuse me and make me a worse player.”
Olaoluwa is a dedicated sports writer and passionate football enthusiast with two years of experience. Known for his keen analysis and commitment to the game, his work reflects a deep love for football, blending strategic insight with the emotional moments that make it a global passion. He is focused on honing his skills and consistently aims to inspire and engage readers through every article he writes.
