O, Mikel Arteta – the one who introduced the element of tactic jazz to Emirates and transformed Arsenal into a club that is more than a bunch of jokers. Nevertheless, with the machine of the Premier League narrative hitting overdrive, people have resurfaced with a previous fear: is Mikel Arteta the man capable of getting Arsenal across the line?
The Gunners are now top of the table a point ahead of Liverpool but fears abound like the London fog. The summer outlay of Arteta PS250 million or so of tactical ambition was to place Arsenal in the position of champions-in-waiting. However, in typical Arsenal style, there is always a twist of the plot. This time around, the twist has blond hair, Nordic cheekbones and three goals in seven games. Enter Viktor Gyokeres, the striker who’s apparently just “okay.”
According to sources, some within the punditocracy believe Arsenal’s shiny new frontman could actually be the reason they don’t lift the trophy come May. They argue the Swede lacks the killer edge required to decide title-defining moments.
Mikel Arteta and the “Okay” Striker Dilemma
Let’s be real — calling your £64 million striker “okay” is the footballing equivalent of calling Shakespeare “a decent playwright.” But that’s exactly what one ex-pro did. The idea is simple: title-winning strikers don’t do “okay.” They do hat-tricks, headlines, and chaos.
The industry and strength of Gyokeres have not yet reached that climactic thunderclap in the Premier League. He is not Erling Haaland, he is rather the quiet cousin of Haaland who has to help her assemble the IKEA. Sure, he runs, he presses, he scowls beautifully under floodlights — but where are the ruthless finishes that win titles?
Mikel Arteta has built a near-perfect machine — Declan Rice orchestrating midfield like a symphony conductor, Ødegaard pirouetting through defenses, and a backline as smooth as a Spanish wine. Yet, football’s cruel truth remains: you don’t win the Premier League with “almost.”
Mikel Arteta Can’t Get Them “Over the Line”?
The accusation cuts deep. The phrase “can’t get them over the line” has followed Mikel Arteta like a shadow since last season’s collapse. It’s the footballing equivalent of saying, “Nice guy, but not marriage material.”
As it is being reported, the hyper-rotation policy introduced by Arteta, which was initially believed to be genius, is being questioned. The argument? He may be too intelligent to his own peril. His tinkering may be effective in the chaos of the Champions League, where a new momentum is formed every few weeks. However, the Premier League is a marathon and not a mood swing – and consistency not creativity conquers trophies.
Nevertheless, we should not overlook the fact that Arsenal have lost the points only to Liverpool and Manchester City. When that is failure, then mediocrity is very high. The Gunners remain resilient, their defense mean, and their hunger unmistakable.
Author’s Take: Maybe Arsenal Just Need a Bit of Madness
Here’s my two cents — Arsenal’s problem isn’t Mikel Arteta. It’s overthinking.
On its own, football is not really a tactical thesis; it is a cleat fight. Arteta has created a team that is disciplined, aesthetically balanced to an extent that it forgets to get dirty now and then.
Viktor Gyokeres might not be “elite” yet, but neither was Didier Drogba in his first season. Give the man time. Arsenal fans should know better than to panic in October — the league isn’t won by Christmas, no matter what Twitter thinks.
And as for the pundits doubting Arteta? Well, they said the same thing about Klopp before he conquered Europe. Sometimes, greatness just needs one more heartbreak before the triumph.
So yes, Gyokeres might be “okay.” Arteta might still be “learning.” But Arsenal? They’re very much alive. And, after all, there is nothing like being underestimated, and so football has taught us.
