The immediate aftermath of a 2-1 Arsenal win against league holders Liverpool is a joyous one.
Despite needing penalties to secure the Community Shield, Mikel Arteta’s troops put in an encouraging display. The opening goal scored by none other than Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was a chief example of the improvement we have seen under Arteta since his tenure began in December.
Playing out of the back, and progressing through a Reds’-side who are adept in a high press, our growth on the pitch was made clear.
In the last 45-days, Arsenal have seen off Liverpool twice, while also dispatching Manchester City and Chelsea. Direct rivals for top four contention.
The signs are there. The empirical, tangible evidence is there. And even though the Community Shield is viewed as nothing more than a friendly in many circles, the reaction of Arteta, his staff, and the players after Auba slotted by Alisson to clinch another piece of silverwear speaks to so much more.
Winning breeds confidence. This mentality is seen throughout football at the highest rungs, whether at club level or in international competition.
Clubs like Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and even Liverpool, view any capture of silverware as base-level requirements. The reaction of Virgil van Dijk and Fabinho seen after the penalty shoot out speaks to that fact.
Recent quotes by Arteta have further given evidence of his desire to headline a cultural reinstitution at Arsenal. Many gawked at his motivations on winning the Champions League while on the Emirates touchline. Though lofty indeed, you do not belong in football management if you do not aspire to reach the absolute pinnacle of the sport.
Arsenal players have all bought in and it shows
“Coming into games like this we’re starting to believe more and more and I think that’s what it’s all about. Belief and spirit. Mikel drilled that into us since day one; defensive organization and the transition. It’s not by luck and it’s not by chance. It’s by hard work.” – Kieran Tierney
A culture built around the emphasis of winning is vita. The only way to truly be able to put yourselves in a position to genuinely compete. Building that culture can only come with hours of commitment on and off the training pitch.
Success on the pitch drives Arteta, much like it did Arsène Wenger; a man who – while Arteta was still lacing up his boots – tipped as one for the future in management.
The beauty of it all is that it is now clearly being passed down to the players. Not just those who were at the club when he was appointed, but those who are coming in.
It is clear that the goal of achieving success on the pitch is a driving force behind what is convincing players to join Arteta’s Arsenal revolution. Our recruitment this summer speaks to that fact as well. A proven winner in Willian crossed the Thames, and a budding young talent in Gabriel Magalhães dashed the channel.
So too will the inevitable extension of club-captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. A player of exceptional goal scoring quality who could very easily rock up at the Camp Nou in a summer of turmoil in Barcelona, is completely bought into the club, its fanbase, and most importantly, its manager.
Arteta’s record speaks for itself
While it is still early doors under the Arteta regime, the signs are there. The progress is plain to see. The desire to build re-build this club to elite status once again is the driving force.
Arteta’s record against big-six clubs since taking over at the Emirates speak to the clubs trajectory as well.
Since his appointment, the Basque-born headmaster has presided over five wins against our closest domestic rivals. During his ~18-months in charge, Unai Emery managed just three.
As for Saturday? It was not just a Community Shield win. It certainly was not simply lifting the FA Cup weeks prior. Two trophies from two appearances were the first rounds expended from a breach-loading Arsenal artillery piece.
The club is truly on the rise once again. We are only just getting started.