It seems the boss is taking inspiration from “the Boss” in his quest to steer Arsenal back on course for that long-overdue Premier League crown.
Despite a tough weekend, Mikel Arteta was in an upbeat mood on Tuesday as he spoke of his faith in the Gunners to fulfil the lifetime dream of fans: “(I feel) fire. I’m on fire. I’m dreaming so much, I have done so much to be in this position. Because I know how this club was. I see beauty and opportunity. I want to get it done. Zero fear.”
Boastful, perhaps, but it is nice to know he feels some Springsteen “Fire” and is just as desperate to end over two decades of pain as the rest of us. And it is hard to argue with him; the club was a mile off the title pace for years before his arrival, indeed they were only drifting further from it by the time that Unai Emery got sacked.
He is right to say he has done so much too – years of tough decisions, the radical squad overhaul and his own, untiring self-belief (along with a sharp tactical mind) are all key reasons for Arsenal being in this position.
Mikel Arteta makes it clear he and fans alike wish to see Arsenal get the job done this season
But Arteta knows his job stands incomplete as long as the trophies stay elusive. In that regard, maybe fans can take heart from the fact he sees this last hurdle as a “beauty” and “opportunity” rather than anything paralytic and he certainly seems to have the determination one would need in order to take full advantage.
Sadly, it looks as though the fear level is far from zero among the Arsenal squad, with recent matches doing little to convince anyone that they can help the boss “get it done”. Their poor efforts leave that lifetime wish firmly in the balance (at best) and, unfortunately, they can make Arteta a target for fan frustration; even if well-intended and sincere, his cheerful words can be tiring to hear when they are not backed up by the performance on the pitch.
At least the faithful know that the man in charge has his finger on the pulse – instill that same energy and belief in his players and he might, finally, get the opportunity to wrap those same fingers around the PL and UCL trophies.
Otherwise they will pass him by, those glory days.
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