Arsenal co-chair Josh Kroenke has offered a unique perspective on Mikel Arteta's early tenure at the club, suggesting that the behind-closed-doors football enforced during the Covid-19 pandemic provided the manager with invaluable "space" to revive what he termed a "sleeping giant". Kroenke's comments highlight the unusual circumstances under which Arteta began to reshape the North London club, free from the immediate pressures and scrutiny of a full Emirates Stadium.
Arteta took the helm at Arsenal in December 2019, just months before the global pandemic brought professional football to a halt and subsequently led to matches being played without spectators for an extended period. This period saw Arsenal navigate a challenging phase, with inconsistent results often met with less vocal dissent due to the absence of a live audience. Kroenke indicated that this environment allowed Arteta a more measured approach to implementing his tactical and cultural changes, away from the intense spotlight that usually accompanies a club of Arsenal's stature.
The club endured a difficult start under Arteta, finishing eighth in the Premier League in both the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons. However, the subsequent seasons have seen a significant upturn in fortunes, with Arsenal challenging for the Premier League title in recent campaigns. Kroenke's remarks imply that the initial period of relative quiet, free from the immediate roar of the crowd, was instrumental in laying the groundwork for this resurgence, allowing the manager and squad to develop without constant external pressure.
The concept of a "sleeping giant" resonates with many Arsenal supporters, who have yearned for a return to the club's former glory days. Kroenke's acknowledgement of this sentiment, coupled with his insight into the pandemic's unexpected benefit, offers a deeper understanding of the strategic thinking behind the scenes during a pivotal time for the club. The return of fans has since seen the Emirates Stadium become a vibrant and often vociferous arena, buoyed by the team's improved performances.
This perspective from the ownership sheds light on the often-unseen factors that influence football club management and performance. While the pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to sport, Kroenke suggests that for Arsenal, it inadvertently created a unique window of opportunity for rebuilding and strategic development under Arteta's leadership, ultimately contributing to their recent competitive revival.
Source: Josh Kroenke