I'm not sure how much introspection there was in the Manager's office at London Colney since the three-game sticky patch that Arsenal went through over Christmas and the New Year, but I have a sense that the level of coaching being delivered - whilst already high - has gone up a notch since then.
Unfortunate defeat at home to West Ham, followed by what was frankly Arsenal's worst performance of the season at Fulham, and then home FA Cup defeat to Liverpool in extraordinary circumstances, caused us all consternation. And whatever we were feeling would have been multiplied considerably within the club itself. But a warm-weather break has led to 4 successive victories, achieved with levels of comfort varying from 'occasionally concerning' to 'a stroll in the park', have served not only to steady the ship but to bring Arsenal right back into the title conversation.
I've personally noted a jump in the quality of coaching. A jump that has led to levels of control and dominance over the opposition only previously seen in Pep Guardiola sides. The 5-0 thrashing of a frankly dreadful Crystal Palace. An ultimately comfortable win in Nottingham (bar a somewhat fraught final 5 minutes) - at a ground that holds bad recent memories, lest we forget. And then the step up...
We witnessed as dominating a performance as one could possibly expect against a title rival in Liverpool. And then, last weekend, came the 6-0 revenge mauling over West Ham that could, frankly, have easily reached the heights of Arsenal Vision's (@ArsenalVPodcast) Elliott Smith's fabled 10-0. The sight of thousands of West Ham supporters streamng towards Westfield Stratford during the first half was a joy to behold, and testament to how good Arsenal were.
Both tactically, and in the way these most recent two results were delivered by the players, Arsenal have been quite magnificent. Due to the way that the post-Liverpool 'celebrations' were greeted by the media, insufficient praise was heaped on the side for the manner of the victory. As regards last Sunday, I've decided that I've had enough of qualifying thrashings by saying how bad the opposition were; they were bad because of the way Arsenal set about them. And that, my friends, is both the starting and finishing point of it!
Looking back to Peak Wenger era, the footballing map was a lot different to what it is now. As we know, Arsene revolutionised football in England, but at the time it was for the most part either of Arsenal or Manchester United for the title. There was generally a gulf to the rest of the league, tactics were less sophisticated, and it was simply down to who had the best players - and the best moments - as to who won the title.
Arsene recruited superbly from areas hitherto untapped by English clubs, and so it was down to how well his superb players could match the British core of United. Tactics were less important. Arsenal and United had the best players and invariably fought out the title. And this didn't change until the arrival of Roman Abramovich and Jose Mourinho, who altered the landscape of English/European/World football and finally gave rise to the bloated, financially doped behemoth that is Manchester City. It was a far simpler world in those days.
With the changed technical landscape pioneered by Mourinho arrived the era of coaching, which is where we are now. These days world class coaches such as the afore-mentioned Guardiola, plus Jurgen Klopp and the likes of Ancelotti and Simeone dominate both their leagues and European football, whilst the likes of Mourinho and Conte have almost certainly been bypassed now, with their best days behind them. Bubbling under are the likes of Nagelsmann, De Zerbi, Alonso and even (dare I whisper it?) Postecoglou. But this high-flying group has recently been infiltrated by Mikel Arteta.
Arteta appears to have taken all he has learned from his playing days under Wenger, to his apprenticeship under Guardiola, and has begun to elevate that to new levels. Which, with the ambitions he has for the club, he has to do in order to get anywhere close to breaking up the City/Liverpool duopoly. For such a young Manager, in his first job, to be doing what he is doing, is quite remarkable. Arsenal, whilst a wealthy club, have nothing like the resources of Manchester City, and are many years behind the Klopp project (which is, as we know, soon to come to an end). To be keeping up with these two giants is, frankly, remarkable. And I maintain that but for the injury suffered by William Saliba last February that duopoly may already have been broken.
Arteta was fully aware over the summer that Arsenal needed to start playing more with the head than the heart this season. The effort and emotion that went into last season finally overcame them, as they found themselves running on fumes in April and May. More control was required; at the cost of some excitement, of course - but it's as much about the journey as it is the destination. And that explains the squad evolution this season. Raya for Ramsdale is becoming clearer now. Havertz for Xhaka is beginning to bear fruit; for all the former's peccadillos. But the icing on the cake has been the arrival of the magnificent Declan Rice, who has added a new dimension to this Arsenal side. He had to throw in excess of £100m at West Ham to get him, but we can see why money was no object. An absolute colossus of a player.
This Arsenal squad, and first team, are something to behold. No, they don't have the depth of Manchester City. And no, they don't necessarily have the explosiveness of a Liverpool squad built in its coach's likeness. But they do have excellent - and even world class - players all over the field. Saliba is complemented by Gabriel. Rice has Martin Odegaard in front of him. Saka on one side; and Martinelli on the other. White, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Trossard all capable of doing key jobs. Gabriel Jesus drives the team on from the front. Thomas Partey still to come back.
Yes, of course they can do with a 20+ a season striker; but their goal tally isn't too shabby considering that they don't have one. If they fall short, that may be cited as the reason why. But for the moment all the metrics point to them being in the fight to the bitter end.
They are underperforming xG - and if that turns in their favour it's all for the better. xG against is the best not only in the Premier League, but in any of the top European leagues. They dominate the opposition, and Arteta and his coaches continue to innovate ways to outfox opposing coaches. It has required swifter passing than earlier this season, and different angles of penetration. But I sense a sea change. Arsenal are going to a different level now.
The Dubai break has been really beneficial. The likes of Saka, Martinelli and White have come right back to their best. Injured players are about to reappear - at the perfect time - But I particularly want to single out skipper Martin Odegaard, who has been quite magnificent; leading by example with no only boundless energy but boundless vision and skill. At £30m from Real Madrid, he has turned out to be an absolute bargain.
Arteta is quoted as saying that if you want to be the best, then you need to be the best at everything. That's what he's striving for, and he's on his way. He is coaching to higher standards than the club has ever seen. He is motivating the players to greater and greater levels of performance. Chuck the brilliant approach to set pieces into the mix - one that places Arsenal above every other side - and he seems to have all bases covered at the moment.
Of course, all this is no guarantee of success. Every game as it comes. And whilst Arsenal are currently, by the metrics, probably the second best club side in the world, the problem is that the best team is in their league; and that's the measure of the task confronting them.
City have still to go to Anfield, and to entertain Arsenal. On the assumption that all three sides are going to win the vast majority of their remaining matches - there is little or no margin for error even this far out - the destiny of the title will surely be determined by those two matches. But it's three points for any win, and the next three points are what matter today. Whilst Arteta can look to navigate his way past Burnley, Newcastle, Sheffield United and Brentford - plus Porto home and away in the Champions League - before the confrontation with City, it's the next game that's the most important.
However, Liverpool are still in all 4 competitions that they entered, and City also have the FA Cup too. Maybe this will work in Arsenal's favour. Who can tell? But what I can say with considerable certainty is that Arsenal - thanks to their Manager and coaching staff - will be ready for whatever is thrown their way.
Burnley away next. COYG!
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