Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has endured a troubled but very impressive start in his managerial career at the London club. Appointed in December, Arteta started his reign in the midst of the hectic English football Christmas Schedule.
Just as his team was picking up form, Arteta tested positive for the Corona Virus and as a result all Premier League matches were put on hold. The Spaniard has however managed to bring positive changes at Arsenal and below, we look at the three main changes.
Discipline
Arsenal players were lacking in discipline towards the end of the Arsene Wenger era and the ill fated Unai Emery one year stay as the manager.
Granit Xhaka swore at the fans while Mesut Ozil clearly insulted his manager when subbed off in the loss to Chelsea during the Europa League final.
With Arteta in charge, the discipline levels at the club have risen. Matteo Guendouzi has not started in the league since December due to his lack of positional discipline on the pitch while Nicholas Pepe and Gabriele Martinelli have also been punished due to a lack of the same.
All these point to a manager who has earned the respect of his squad.
United Fanbase
Arsenal fans have been split since the good old days of the #WengerIn versus the #WengerOut Twitter wars. Unai Emery came in and could not unite the huge fanbase and if anything made the divisions even wider.
Under Arteta however, the fans have been behind their team and the mood especially at the Emirates has improved considerably.
Results
Arsenal has lost just one match in the league since Mikel Arteta took over. The Spaniard has managed to instill belief in a squad that seriously lacking in confidence and the performances mirror the results.
The team is just five points shy of Manchester United in fifth place which could be enough to qualify for the Champions league next season due the Manchester City European ban.
The Gunners are also in the quarter finals of the FA Cup which presents the chance to finish the season with a trophy.