Mikel Arteta, the current manager of Arsenal, has acknowledged that he may have been “lucky” to still be in his position. Despite leading the team to the top of the table and within reach of the Premier League title, Arteta has had some bumpy periods since taking on the role in December 2019. His previous seasons yielded only an eighth-place and fifth-place finish, which left fans divided over the Spanish coach. Although the FA Cup success at the end of his first season provided some respite, Arteta has admitted that he could have been sacked without it.
When asked by ESPN if he would have lasted in his job without the FA Cup win, Arteta responded, “I don’t know. Looking back, obviously a lot of things have happened.” He added that starting his managerial career with no experience at any level and facing immediate success, followed by two years of COVID, with all the challenges that came with it, meant that he was fortunate to still be in his position today. He also stated that he has always been fascinated with the journey and living every single day like it is the last, and that taking on this job requires a daily focus on lessons and challenges.
Arteta faced significant pressure as Arsenal boss at the beginning of last season when they lost their opening three league games. However, the team recovered and mounted a serious challenge for the top four places. Unfortunately, the campaign ended in a similar fashion to previous seasons, with the club losing six of their last 12 games and being pipped to fourth place by rivals Tottenham. This once again put pressure on Arteta’s position.
Despite these challenges, Arteta has managed to turn things around this season and has led Arsenal to a strong position in the Premier League. His ability to adapt and learn from his experiences has been crucial in his success as a manager. He understands that every day presents new challenges and that he must be prepared to face them head-on.
In conclusion, Mikel Arteta’s admission that he may have been lucky to still be in his position is a testament to his humility and willingness to learn. He has faced significant challenges during his tenure as Arsenal boss, but his ability to adapt and learn from his experiences has helped him turn things around this season. As he continues on his journey as a manager, he will undoubtedly face new challenges, but his focus on living every day like it is the last will serve him well.