New Strength at The Arsenal

This season, Arsenal is a bit different. They're playing in a click, collective, and consistently winning, something I've rarely seen in a long time.

Starting with the lineup. Ødegaard, Saka, Martinelli, and Gabriel Jesus up front look like a squad that's been playing together at a professional club for years. At the back, Saliba and Gabriel are a wall that frustrates opponents. Add Zinchenko, Pep's former Manchester City star, who brings a winning mentality to the Emirates.

What are Arsenal's league stats? So far, they're 18-2-2 and unbeaten at the Emirates. The Gunners are serious.

But the question is, after the 2022 World Cup, can Arsenal maintain their rhythm? Gabi's duo were a dud in Brazil, while Saka and White need to reset their chemistry. With a month off, will the team automatically refresh or will it slacken?

Arsenal Dressing Room

Arteta's crazy decisions.

If there's one thing Arteta has done frequently during his time at Arsenal, it's proving the club's supporters wrong. His decisions have actually made Arsenal one of the strongest teams this season. More specifically, here are some of the more significant decisions Arteta has made since being appointed Arsenal manager in November 2019—some of which have also been scrutinized by the fanbase.

1). Martinelli: From bench to starting player.

Arsenal fans used to be frustrated by Martinelli's lack of playing time. "This kid has huge potential, why isn't he given playing time?" But Arteta was patient. He knew that pushing Martinelli from the start would risk constant injury.

Fast forward to now. Martinelli isn't just a starter, but a threat in the Premier League. Fans who were angry about him being a frequent substitute? Now they're taking their hats off.

2). Aubameyang's dropout.

Have you seen the "Aubameyang disaster" in the Amazon documentary: All or Nothing? He's a name, but he's committed disciplinary violations and isn't very cooperative with the team. It's clearly detrimental. From here, we can see Arteta's most controversial decision: ditching Aubameyang without a replacement striker. At the time, everyone thought Arsenal would be in trouble. But it turned out to be a more solid team.

Without Auba, Arsenal is more stable, with no player feeling bigger than the club. Since moving from Emirates, Aubameyang was a revelation at Barca, but now he's flopping at Chelsea. Meanwhile, Arsenal? Soaring to the top.

3). Saliba to Marseille, back to being a monster.

When Saliba was loaned to Marseille, Arsenal fans went wild. "This is a defender of the future, why not use him?" But Arteta was secretly plotting something.

Saliba returned to Emirates with a boss-level aura. He immediately clicked into place, immediately locking down the back line. Now Arsenal has an elite center-back instead of Mustafi, while the fans who used to be so enthusiastic have become sweetly silent.

4). Arteta's principle: "Don't worry, this is my Arsenal."

Arsenal used to be a team without an identity. Now? They have a clear playing style: build-up from the back, tight pressing, and ball dominance.

Many were impatient when Arteta initially pushed the envelope with his scheme. But he trusted the process, and now Arsenal are reaping the rewards. Without this philosophy, Arsenal wouldn't be as consistent as they are now.

Former Everton player (Arteta's old club), Tim Cahill, once opined:

"The key is, Arsenal are progressing. There's an identity, there's a formula to the way they play. They play from the back and they'll continue to play from the back, and that's why I think Mikel deserves a lot of credit. They've lost a few games, but they know why they lost. They finish games, but they learn, and they move forward."

He said this in November 2020 after Arsenal beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford, leaving Arsenal in ninth place in the Premier League.

5). Ozil out, Arsenal up.

Ozil is a legend. But times change, and Arsenal must move on. Arteta initially tried to give him a role, but it clearly didn't align with the team's vision.

Fans were initially upset about his departure (due to the termination of his contract), especially since Ozil still had a large and loyal following. But looking at Arsenal now, it was clearly the right decision.

The German playmaker left the North London club on less than favorable terms. Arteta made Ozil one of his consistent starters early in his managerial career, before he stopped relying on his former teammate at Everton.

"What Mesut has done for this football club is unquestionable and will remain. It doesn't matter if he plays two games, ten more games, or none at all. What he has done is for the record, for the history of this club, and his contribution, I don't think anyone can talk about it," Arteta said in January 2021, shortly before Ozil's departure.

FYI, Ozil was criticized for speaking out about the Uyghur genocide in China, leading to his club shunning him. He wasn't wrong, but the venue wasn't right (mixing politics and sports). And because Arsenal were in form, Arteta was forced to sack Ozil.

6). 'Rob' City in the summer of 2022.

Well, perhaps most of this season's title charge came from the business done by Arteta and Edu last summer. New recruits like Fabio Vieira, Marquinhos, and Matt Turner actually have the potential to be good players. But getting Zinchenko and Jesus from City was like getting a buy-one-get-one deal for a premium player. Both are still in their prime, but already possess a winning mentality.

Jesus immediately became Arsenal's attacking engine. Zinchenko? An underrated gem. This player isn't just a left-back, but also an incognito playmaker who helps Arsenal control the game.

7). The captain's armband is no longer a curse.

Arsenal's captaincy used to be a horror story. From Van Persie to Auba, they all eventually revoked it or even flopped.

Odegaard directing his teammates during a match

Martin Ødegaard was officially named the new captain in July 2022. He replaced the departing Aubameyang. The armband was given to Lacazette, Xhaka, Tierney, and Ødegaard before the Norwegian playmaker was given it permanently.

Arteta gave it to Ødegaard, and he was a perfect choice. No drama, no nonsense—just hard work, vision, and leadership on the pitch. A low-key, yet effective captain.

8). Ramsdale and White expensive? Worth every penny.

When Arsenal bought Ben White for £50 million (pounds sterling) and Aaron Ramsdale for £24 million, many said it was a waste of money. Now? Ramsdale is a competitive goalkeeper, and White has transformed into a top-tier right-back.

White may not be a classic right-back, but he provides the balance Arsenal need. Ramsdale? A goalkeeper who not only has excellent reflexes but is also comfortable with the ball at his feet. Let's see how both of them progress at the club.

9). White at right-back? Genius move.

White used to be a center-back. Now he's a right-back, and the result? Arsenal is even more solid.

Benjamin White at the end of the match

While Zinchenko often moves forward to help build-up, White provides the balance. He can defend, can pass neatly, and doesn't panic easily. His football IQ is also good. Of all Arsenal's players, White seems more disciplined, his positioning and technical skills make him a vital player.

10). I doubted Nketiah's contract, but he turned out to be a clutch.

Many were skeptical when Arsenal extended Nketiah's contract, including myself (hehe). "Is he good enough for a top team?" But look at it now, that skepticism has turned into praise.

With their first-choice striker (Gabriel Jesus) injured, Arsenal needed a striker, and Nketiah stepped up. He's not just a replacement; he's a true clutch player and could ultimately be the key to Arsenal's current top-of-the-table position.

Arsenal is different this season. They're more solid, more confident, more mature, and their most serious side since the Invincibles era. But the question is, can they maintain their momentum until the end of the season? Or will they suffer a mental breakdown in the final seconds?