Mikel Arteta has joined an exclusive group of Premier League managers, reaching 250 games in charge of Arsenal. The milestone was marked by a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa on Monday, a performance that saw the Gunners concede no shots on target.
This achievement places Arteta among the 10 managers to have overseen 250 top-flight matches with a single Premier League club, a list that includes Arsene Wenger, Sir Alex Ferguson, and Pep Guardiola. Arteta also boasts the fourth-best win percentage among this elite group, trailing only Guardiola, Ferguson, and Jurgen Klopp.
Arsenal's win against Villa means they have now won their first two Premier League matches for the fifth season in a row. The team, known for its defensive strength under Arteta, has only faced three shots on target across their opening two league fixtures this season.
Despite significant spending this year, including permanent deals for Piero Hincapie and Ezri Konsa, and the signings of Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis, Arteta suggested the club could still be active in the transfer market. He stated, "We are trying to improve the squad and until tomorrow night we will try to do it," when asked about potential further additions, particularly in the forward area.