Sat in the stand in front of the press box was an animated supporter, who spent the evening berating Mikel Arteta every time Villarreal scored, as if the occasion was a cup final rather than a meaningless warm-up game.
So what? You might ask. That type of thing happens all the time at stadiums up and down the country. Football fandom is fickle by its nature; you’re never going to please everybody.
After a tricky first couple of seasons – an FA Cup win in 2020 aside – Arteta had successfully unified the fanbase behind him and one of the youngest teams in the division by turning Arsenal into credible challengers once again.
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I suspect that the vast majority of Arsenal supporters, particularly match-going ones, remain fully behind him. As the Gunners closed out a trophyless 2024-25, his name was sung loudly by travelling supporters at St Mary’s.
Nevertheless, it’s unquestionably a pivotal season for Arteta and Arsenal. As the team’s ceiling has been raised, naturally so have supporters’ expectations.
There comes a point, though, when they just want to reach the final destination, feet up on the sun lounger, flourescent cocktail in hand, palm trees swaying overhead, basking in their team’s glory.
“We still need to win a major title. That’s what we’re missing because the rest is done,” he said. On Friday, he insisted Arsenal will keep digging until they find gold.
In 2022-23, Arsenal were surprise bolters let down by their own inexperience, frittering away points in the closing weeks as the pressure intensified. In 2023-24, they were near faultless, pipped to the post by a single point by one of the most dominant teams in English football history in Manchester City.
Gyokeres could be a difference-maker for Arsenal (Photo: Getty)Rival fans, and some Arsenal ones, will claim the above are merely excuses for failing to get over the line.
If Arsenal’s trophy drought extends to a sixth year, there will be less justification for falling short.
Liverpool were dominant champions last season, but arguably lack the same dynastic aura that Manchester City had. The bookmakers are predicting the tightest title race in years, with precious little to separate last season’s top three and recently crowned world champions Chelsea also tipped to be in the mix.
This is the strongest squad that Arteta has ever had after a proactive summer transfer window under new sporting director Andrea Berta. Martin Zubimendi is one of the world’s best defensive midfielders and a potential game-changer.
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And, at last, a prolific goalscorer has arrived. No striker in Europe can better Viktor Gyokeres’ haul of 97 goals across the past two seasons. The man with the mask provides precisely the penalty box instincts that Arsenal have so often lacked.
Other Premier League managers have won trophies recently with far less investment. The time to win is now.
Falter again and it’s unlikely there will be a lone voice calling for Arteta’s head.
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