Arteta faced his own struggles during his time at Arsenal, he saw his side finish in eighth place twice despite picking up an FA Cup with a broken squad that he effectively sacrificed seasons to completely overhaul. The club backed him and remained supportive whilst a huge portion of the fan base lost hope and campaigned for him to be replaced by managers just like Ten Hag – even the man himself was suggested by many as an upgrade on the Spaniard believe it or not. Who am I kidding, we can all believe that.
The fact is that during the darker times under Arteta, he was showing plenty of evidence of progression despite the results and the league position not always demonstrating that. Players were improving and the work being done with the squad was moving everything forward.
The difference is whilst Aubameyang was replaced by an established Premier League champion in Gabriel Jesus, Ten Hag sanctioned the loan of Wout Weghorst before investing a massive sum of money in Rasmus Hojlund. The Dane is talented, do not get me wrong, but this United team has been lacking vision and quality in key areas for an incredibly long time.
Where Mikel Arteta immediately realised the defensive frailties and midfield vulnerabilities and addressed them in his first summer window with the signings of Gabriel Magalhaes and Thomas Partey, Ten Hag has just leaned on his Ajax past and brought in countless expensive players who helped win a league. A league which, with respect, the Amsterdam-based club had dominated with very little opposition.Antony is a failure. The money invested in a then 30-year-old Casemiro was mind-boggling and the Brazilian, whilst having certain qualities, has made crucial errors on several occasions.
Lisandro Martinez appears one of the few successful signings but again has an error or chaotic moment in him. Andre Onana remains a big question mark after major errors in his early time with the club.
Whereas you look at Bruno Fernandes, Sancho, Antony even Rashford to some extent and what has happened? Even a player like Donny van de Beek who flourished under Ten Hag in the Netherlands has been unable to revive his career.
Ten Hag may have won a League Cup, despite facing little in the way of challenge on the route to that victory, but he has ultimately failed. Many, like Gary Neville, will point to the ownership and I understand that.
But you cannot discount the errors he has made that a far less experienced coach in Arteta simply didn’t. Just listen to the lack of ownership for defeats Ten Hag takes in post-match interviews and that is a core problem – know when you’re the issue and learn how to address it.
That said, I for one hope he remains Manchester United's coach for a very long time. As always, I want the best for Arsenal and that reality certainly is what’s best for the Gunners.
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