Good early morning, everybody!

Today, I’m sharing a quick blog site on this Friday as I prepare to head to London for an amazing match versus Brentford. Initially, I considered discussing the significance of beating Real Madrid and what this success shows about our existing group characteristics. However, considering that Tim released his informative column the other day, I feel that my ideas may overlap with his, so I motivate you to inspect it out if you have not currently; it’s a rewarding read that offers important point of views.

While my focus isn’t entirely on that subject, it definitely lines up with the style of ‘Look how far we’ve come’. This is an essential factor to consider worldwide of football, where evaluations are regularly made in the short-term. The most efficient technique to affect these short-term results, nevertheless, depends on developing robust medium to long-lasting techniques. Winning matches is important now, however it’s similarly essential to establish the needed structures that allow constant success in time, which undoubtedly needs persistence and preparation.

Under the stewardship of Mikel Arteta, our group has actually had the chance to grow and establish, which I think is a considerable consider our current accomplishment over Real Madrid with a scoreline of 3-0 on a night that will be kept in mind for its luster. This team is consisted of gamers who embody Arteta’s vision, and substantial monetary investment has actually been made to reach this level. Beyond the financial element, it appears that comprehensive efforts have actually entered into promoting the culture that Tim highlighted, one that Arteta discussed throughout his inaugural interview.

In discussions surrounding football groups, you frequently hear the expression, ‘they are a serious outfit’. This is exactly how I would explain the existing variation of Arsenal. In the past, I don’t believe this statement accurately applied to previous teams. It’s not to suggest that past players didn’t care or weren’t dedicated; rather, it seemed that there was often a lack of unified direction, both on and off the pitch. I recall Bernd Leno mentioning that when he first joined, Arteta’s focus was not primarily on tactics but rather on instilling a behavioral ethos within the team, which speaks volumes about the shift in our club’s culture.

A specific character type is essential to reach the current level at which Arsenal finds itself now, and let’s be clear, we are not yet at our desired destination. Our goal is to finish at the top by the end of the season, and we are all aware of this reality. In the past, we lacked the right individuals or didn’t have enough of them. Some may find this amusing, but I consider Granit Xhaka to be an intriguing figure in our recent history concerning this cultural transformation.

There were moments when Xhaka exhibited impulsive behavior, perhaps being overly passionate, which led to him acquiring a reputation among fans, referees, and pundits. He made mistakes and accumulated numerous yellow cards during his time with us. Arsene Wenger was the one who brought him in, initially labeling him as a box-to-box midfielder, yet he later adjusted his evaluation multiple times as the seasons progressed, leading to some confusion regarding his role.

When Unai Emery took charge, there were significant moments, such as the infamous match against Watford where we conceded over 30 shots on goal. Following that game, Xhaka stated that the team felt ‘scared’, which drew considerable criticism, but the essence of his statement was overshadowed by the backlash: it was an implicit critique of Emery and his tactical approach. In my opinion, he was correct; the team was indeed fearful, and this was more a reflection of Emery losing control than an indictment of the players’ mentality, although some who participated that day would not last long once Arteta assumed command, as he recognized their shortcomings quickly.

Though it was not immediate, I believe it is no accident that when reconciliatory gestures were made and Xhaka was reintegrated into the squad, he experienced his most effective spell in the red and white under Arteta’s guidance. Regardless of one’s opinion on his abilities as a player, Xhaka exemplified professionalism, and Arteta viewed such qualities as crucial for the team’s evolution. I have expressed before that I think the manager saw reflections of himself in Xhaka—both being solid yet largely unremarkable midfielders who excelled during a mid to late career positional switch.

Arteta recognized Xhaka’s weaknesses when playing deeper in midfield, prompting him to push him forward. This strategic adjustment ensured that the player wasn’t set up to fail. In the last couple of seasons, we have witnessed a version of Xhaka that became integral to the squad. His departure to Bayer Leverkusen has allowed him to contribute to something remarkable in the Bundesliga. I do not think he would have achieved that without Mikel Arteta’s positive influence, yet Xhaka embodies precisely the type of character Arteta sought to instill in the team. From the moment he joined, Xhaka displayed a seriousness that is now mirrored throughout the current Arsenal lineup. While this doesn’t imply that gamers lack diverse personality traits, there is a noticeable absence of jesters or clowns within the squad.

Some might argue that there’s a place for a maverick, a player whose instinctive brilliance can elevate the group during pivotal moments. I understand this perspective; who wouldn’t want the flair of a prime Alexis Sanchez? However, it’s not always that clear-cut. Just the other night, we witnessed Declan Rice opting to take a free kick despite our set-piece coach signaling for an alternative routine. While this wasn’t an outright act of rebellion, it stemmed from a serious mindset—an intrinsic belief that he could create something extraordinary for the team, and indeed he did.

Admittedly, this season has had its ups and downs, and at times it has felt a bit tedious. There are numerous factors contributing to this, and we need not delve into them all here. For me, however, I’ve never considered a slight regression as an indication of failure or the end of our journey. Adversity can be a powerful teacher, and Arteta has shown that time and again during his tenure. As demonstrated on Tuesday night, the solid foundations we’ve built allowed us to deliver such a commendable performance against a team like Real Madrid.

Although we have not yet reached our ideal state and there are areas requiring improvement, we remain a formidable team. You might say we are indeed a serious outfit.

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I’ll wrap things up here for now. Be sure to check out our Brentford preview podcast on Patreon later. Additionally, I want to remind you that throughout the month of April, we are donating every single cent from our Patreon to charity. You can discover listed below the fantastic causes we are supporting, so if you have an interest in extra material while likewise assisting those in requirement, do not hesitate to join us at patreon.com/arseblog. Thank you!

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— arseblog (@arseblog.com) April 3, 2025 at 3:08 PM