Mikel Arteta has plenty of critics whose numbers appear to grow each week with each result and understandably so to some degree. However, the new year can provide the opportunity for the Gunners’ manager to answer some questions that remain without response.
football.london offers up three potential queries that we are yet to know the full extent of the answers to. From transfers to European competitiveness, the Spaniard has got plenty on his plate as the action resumes.
European exploits
Arsenal will return to European action next month as they face FC Porto in the UEFA Champions League with fair demands that the club progress. After the disappointments against Olympiacos, Villarreal and Sporting CP in the Europa League, Arteta has something of a point to prove in Europe.
Should Arsenal again disappoint and go out to a Porto side who have never lost to the Gunners in their own ground, he will be under perhaps the highest amount of scrutiny since his appointment. Reaching a quarter-final, however, will represent the club’s first time in the last eight for well over a decade.
Arteta has not truly been able to show off his £38million addition and the impact that he would have had were he available for the start of the season. Arteta must provide the answer for how he will fit into proceedings and then what fans can expect from the defender.
Is the squad enough?
The last point is can Arteta and his recruitment team led by Edu Gaspar pull off a miracle in the remaining period of the transfer window. The instinctual answer would be for supporters not to get their hopes up but with one loan spot available perhaps there is scope to do something late on like the club did with Jorginho – time-wise - last season.
Profit and Sustainability Regulations are the key concern and unless there is a major sale, very little is expected in the way of a permanent signing. Will Arteta be able to work some Arsene Wenger-esque madness before the window slams shut? We will wait and see.
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