Why Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal Setup Surpasses Barcelona and Man City
Former Arsenal midfielder Anders Limpar believes Mikel Arteta won’t be tempted away from the Gunners by offers from clubs like Barcelona or Manchester City. The Swede thinks managing a squad brimming with elite talent will challenge Arteta more than ever this season.
Arteta’s Place at Arsenal Is Secure
Limpar sees no reason for Arteta to leave, insisting Arsenal have cemented themselves among Europe’s top teams. The club’s ability to attract top-tier players and compete strongly in four different competitions gives Arteta one of the best managerial roles in world football. Since Arsenal keeps supporting him in the transfer market, Limpar can’t imagine the Spaniard abandoning his current project.
"Why would Mikel Arteta ever leave Arsenal when they are able to sign the best players in the world for him? They are the best or second best team in Europe," Limpar said. "Everybody wants to come and play for Arsenal now. We are a massive club nowadays."
He added that winning the Premier League and pushing deep in all competitions makes Arsenal a magnet for ambitious players. "If you’re only a good player, you’re not going to fit in at Arsenal. Go and play for Brighton or Fulham or whoever," Limpar remarked. Arteta won’t find a better setup at Barcelona or Manchester City than what he already has at Arsenal, and the club continues to bring in even better players.
The Psychological Challenge Ahead
Despite praising Arsenal's rise, Limpar warned about the challenges Arteta faces managing a squad stacked with world-class players.
"To have a world class team, you need ten world class outfield players, but you also need to have more than ten world class players who are on the bench or who don’t even play," he explained. "This is the hardest job for a manager. It was hard for Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp, and it will be hard for Mikel Arteta too to keep his squad happy. That’s the toughest part. Arteta’s real job starts now. He has to be a master psychologist if he is to keep everyone engaged under his umbrella."
Limpar pointed out the difficulties of managing egos when injuries or form dips force changes. Players on the bench must stay motivated and ready.
"It’s a tough business to be a manager at a top club, I can tell you that, but this has been Mikel Arteta’s dream, to have the ten best players available every game. If the players on the bench aren’t happy, it doesn’t matter who you are," he said. "The players need to channel their frustration into effort. That’s where psychology comes in. If he mishandles it, he’s in a dangerous position."
Arsenal’s Preseason Momentum
Arsenal began their preseason with an impressive 4-1 win over Girona. Now, they are focusing on fitness and new tactics ahead of a challenging campaign. Upcoming matches include clashes against Real Betis in Dublin on August 5, followed by home games versus Borussia Dortmund and Como at the Emirates Stadium.
