Mikel Arteta wins manager of the month

September proved to be a far better month for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta than August had been. Coming into the month with no points, no goals scored and nine conceded, the Gunners won three and drew one of their four Premier League fixtures. In addition, they saw off a spirited AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup third round at the Emirates stadium.

The good results saw Arteta, whose job had been questioned, scoop up the manager of the month award, becoming the second manager to win it this season after Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo.

💪 3 wins
⚽️ 5 goals
⛔️ 2 clean sheets

👔 Mikel Arteta is the @BarclaysFooty Manager of the Month #PLAwards pic.twitter.com/PY1Bt0zHp7

— Premier League (@premierleague) October 8, 2021

While all is not rosy at the Emirates, it is certainly beginning to move in the right direction results-wise.

Henry questions the process

One man who is yet to buy in, however, is Thierry Henry. The Arsenal legend, who netted 228 goals in 376 games for then-Arsene Wenger’s side, has been less than convinced by the performances and results, with the Brighton game standing out in particular.

Speaking at the Prime Video Presents Sport 2021 showcase event, and quoted by the Sun, The former French star said:

“I don’t know if things are going in the right direction. I watched the Brighton game. Did you watch it?”

“I’ve seen us beating Norwich before, winning at Burnley, beating Tottenham at home – because we always beat Tottenham at home.

“I was more than happy when we beat Tottenham as we were on a good run but I was waiting to see a performance, away from home, against a team that passes the ball. 

“And, instead, we suffered.”

Henry continued:

“I was waiting to see the Brighton game, to see if we could have the ball and keep the ball, away from home, retaining possession, against a dangerous Brighton side.

“When we used to lose, even after I left the team, it was always said that ‘Arsenal don’t have a Plan B’ and that they passed too much for the sake of passing.

“But I didn’t see that from Arsenal in the Brighton match. I saw Brighton do that.”

Does the legend speak sense, or will time prove that Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are one to be feared going forwards?

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