Note: this article was written by Tim Bostelle and first appeared on 7amkickoff in May 2013. It was one of many articles that were lost when we switched servers but thankfully it was archived by Arsenal in their column “Best of the Blogs”. I am reprinting it here because it is a timely reminder of what kind of player Arteta was for Arsenal. Not just his technical qualities on the field in terms of passing percentages, things I am certain he will teach the players, but his sacrifice, passion, leadership, and stewardship of the values of the club. Those are what made him my favorite player that season. And those are the same qualities that I hope will make him a successful manager at Arsenal for years to come.
Arteta, my player of the year
There are many qualities which one can point to to argue that their favourite should be player of the year; goalscoring, scoring important goals, overall defensive contribution, important saves and just plain winning games are probably chief among the reasons cited. But metronomic passing? Tackling? Not turning the ball over? Leadership? I say “it depends”.
It depends on how much they pass the ball, how consistently they pass, how selflessly they lead, if they take tackles which stem the flow of the opposition’s play and if they can make the other players around them truly better. I think Arteta does all of those things and that’s why he’s my pick for player of the year.
It wasn’t an easy choice. Santi Cazorla is my favourite player to watch. He’s just so eager to create goals and goalscoring opportunities and so endlessly creative with the ball that I love seeing him in possession. In my imagination this scene is playing on loop every time I think of Santi with the ball: Cazorla will pick the ball up (probably a long pass from Arteta!) on the wing and start his dance, dribble past a man, fake a shot, get his marker to commit then play a neat little splitting pass to Gibbs, move to the top of the box, wait for the return ball, and stroke home a masterful goal on the volley. My natural inclination is to give that guy the award.
But my counter-inclination is to step back from the obvious choice and ask if there is a foundational player upon which Cazorla’s creativity is given the chance express itself. Who is doing the dirty work, keeping possession and cleaning up after Cazorla when he fails to create? That guy is Mikel Arteta.
There was a strange moment toward the end of this season when a number of people started pipping Michael Carrick from Manchester United for player of the year. He ended up winning the United Player’s PoY award but Wenger actually tipped him for the league gong calling him “underrated” and saying that he could fit in at Barcelona with his passing style.
Carrick does represent a new style of somewhat defensive midfielder whose main job isn’t to be a destroyer but rather to hold possession and then to act as a bridge to the offence and occasionally as a shield to the defence.
I looked at overall passing numbers for the top five leagues and came up with the top six guys who make the most passes, Xavi, Arteta, Yaya, Pirlo, Carrick, and Schweinsteiger – I omitted Busquets because I didn’t want two Barcelona players, but he fits the mold here as well. I then compared their numbers and, no surprise, they are all slightly different but all do several things the same: they pass at a high rate, they turn the ball over at a very low rate, they make long passes at a high rate, and most of them tackle at a high rate as well.
European midfielder statistics
| Player | Age | Apps | Goals | Assists |
| Arteta | 31 | 34 | 6 | 3 |
| Carrick | 31 | 36 | 1 | 4 |
| Pirlo | 34 | 32 | 5 | 7 |
| Schweinsteiger | 28 | 28 | 7 | 3 |
| Xavi | 33 | 28 | 5 | 6 |
| Yaya Toure | 30 | 32 | 7 | 5 |
| Gonalons | 24 | 35 | 3 | 0 |
| Ramsey | 22 | 36 | 1 | 2 |
European midfielder statistics
| Player | Avg passes | Pass percentage | Key passes | long balls |
| Arteta | 81 | 91.5 | 26 | 179/205 |
| Carrick | 77 | 88.1 | 37 | 208/277 |
| Pirlo | 79 | 87.3 | 96 | 339/413 |
| Schweinsteiger | 74 | 87.9 | 25 | 260/324 |
| Xavi | 98 | 94.7 | 41 | 224/238 |
| Yaya Toure | 79 | 88.9 | 45 | 175/210 |
| Gonalons | 64 | 88 | 11 | 237/287 |
| Ramsey | 54 | 88.2 | 45 | 103/139 |
European midfielder statistics
| Player | Tackles | Int | Disp | Turnovers |
| Arteta | 108 | 97 | 23 | 18 |
| Carrick | 83 | 76 | 27 | 13 |
| Pirlo | 82 | 39 | 32 | 18 |
| Schweinsteiger | 78 | 35 | 46 | 22 |
| Xavi | 13 | 22 | 21 | 29 |
| Yaya Toure | 37 | 28 | 39 | 21 |
| Gonalons | 139 | 109 | 36 | 27 |
| Ramsey | 71 | 44 | 43 | 23 |
As you can see, Arteta, Carrick, Pirlo, and Schweini are eerily similar in their numbers here. Pirlo is more of a deep-lying playmaker which is why his key passes and long passes numbers are so high but his other numbers are similar to the top four there. Yaya and Xavi are the outliers in that they don’t really play defence and Arteta is more defensive minded than any of them in the top group.
Arteta led the Premier League in passes per game, was near the top in passing percentage, made an incredible 87 per cent of his long passes and led Arsenal in tackles, interceptions and fouls committed. He was in almost every way as good if not better (statistically speaking) than the other players in that group above.
Four of those players won their respective leagues this year and it’s as clear an indication that top teams demand this type of cultured passer who rarely turns the ball over and can also get in a tackle when needed. If Arteta posted his same numbers and Arsenal had won the League, we would be easily talking about him as player of the year – at least as easily as Wenger did for Carrick, who is made to look a lot better than he is because no one ever pressures him in midfield whereas teams have tried to mark Arteta out of the game on many occasions.
“In the depths of the season, when all seemed to be falling apart around the club, Arteta became the glue by which Wenger led Arsenal out of the labyrinth”
But what makes Arteta even more special than just the numbers he posted is that he voluntarily took on the deeper role in midfield this season with the departure of Alex Song to Barcelona. We tend to forget that last year Arteta was second for Arsenal for key passes (shots created for others) with 60 and he scored six goals for the club from open play, whereas this year he has just the one (v QPR – all his other goals come from penalties). Arteta gave up that role to Aaron Ramsey and in so doing helped to transform the young Welshman’s Arsenal career.
That selflessness is the hallmark of a great leader which is the other reason why I think Arteta has to be player of the year. In the depths of Arsenal’s season, when all seemed to be falling apart around the club, Arteta became the glue by which Wenger led Arsenal out of the labyrinth.
He was seen marshaling the players on the field, organising the defence and off the pitch there were several videos of team training in which Arteta and Wenger were seen talking, rather animatedly, about the team. So, when Vermaelen was dropped, Arteta was marble-constant and he took the armband easily, no questions asked, no fanfare. He just assumed the role.
Kieran Gibbs put Arteta’s influence on this team thusly, “There are players like Podolski, who’s a bit of a joker, and there’s Arteta, who’s more the father of the group and tries to nurture the young ones and make sure they’re behaving.”
In a way I see Arteta as an extension of Wenger on the field. He epitomises Arsene’s desired playing style with his tidy little passes and busting-a-gut tracking back to break up the opposition attacks. But he is also expansive and expresses himself with pinpoint long passes and perfectly timed forays forward – the few that I remember almost all seemed to result in an Arsenal goal at a crucial time.
For example, he scored the winner against QPR in the first meeting and set up the winner in the second. He also took all of Arsenal’s penalties, thus winning the West Brom match and the Wigan match.
“He’s calm, professorial with the players, leads by example and is someone who puts his body on the line day in and day out for the Arsenal”
He’s calm, professorial with the players, leads by example and is someone who puts his body on the line day in and day out for the Arsenal. He made others around him better, most notably Ramsey, but also gave Cazorla the platform from which he could create, and gave the back four the player in front of them who wasn’t going to go off in search of the Hollywood pass as Song had the year before – giving them the confidence they needed to make one of the best defensive run-ins I have ever seen.
He was the first player Wenger went to when Arsenal beat Newcastle to secure fourth place and their embrace was one of teammates who had worked out the plan together and seen it executed perfectly on the field.
For all of that, I pick Mikel Arteta as my player of the year 2012/2013.
Outstanding 👏
Exactly. A young old head, a guy ahead of his time, a player who was a kind of quasi coach, a player who made others better, a guy who redefeined what DM meant, a guy who took responsibility on and off the field, and a guy who was way better than we remember him being. Props to Arsene for restoring g him to the back of midfield. He played more as buccaneering 10 for Moyes at Everton. The one type of player that Wenger knew well was a cerebral midfielder.
What a superb write up, Tim. The list of good ones is long, but I dont think you’ve written a better article. And big up to Feng for posting it last thread.
how the years have gone by!
Great read and refreshing
It’s historical perspectives like this one on Arteta. The subsequent experience he’s gained. The stature of those under whom he’s learned. Places where he grew into the leader he is now. That begs– how was his pedigree doubted? Where or how would a pedigree be better cultivated?
AFC is fortunate to have him take the job. He waited on it too.
Arteta knew what he wanted to build. And where.
Hell, the man gave a tooth for the club. And a handsome tooth at that.
One Arteta!
Truth be told…I’ve lost a tooth as well, but it was in service of a hard biscuit. 😉
Coming as you do from the lone star state, Im sure you’re still an oil painting.
Indeed, mate. Texas Tea.
And just when I thought I couldn’t get more excited about him, I got…retro-excited?
Well said Team.
Also lovely article Tim.
bravo!!! great piece, tim; arguable one of your finest.
i, too, have mikey for poty for the ’12/’13 season…and the ’13/’14 season. he was masterful in his understanding of the game and his tactical execution. he’s the only player i’ve ever seen who could dominate games without having the ball. most would miss how important he was to arsenal, especially after the departures of song and rvp; good on you.
i recall an interview when santi first got to arsenal, how he marveled at arteta commanded the respect of all the players in the dressing room. it wouldn’t surprise me if one of the reasons santi was moved to cdm had something to do with arteta in wenger’s ear…or even a discussion with santi and coquelin to switch positions without asking permission. seriously, who would have even thought of playing santi there? likewise, it wouldn’t surprise me if cazorla learned a ton from watching arteta’s leadership.
one of my highlights was the long win streak arsenal went on to finish 4th after being way back in the champions league race. ramsey got the plaudits for his scoring prowess but arteta kept it all together.
one of my worst memories of arteta was, after such a brilliant campaign for arsenal, i was sure he’d be called up to the spain team. both busquets and alonso were injured so it only made since. however, it never happened but he deserved it. his football at the time was absolutely imperious. even if he was never capped, he deserved a call up at the least. in that form, he would have most certainly featured…and been included in the world cup squad the following summer in brazil. shameful.
i just watched the man united game…fantastic performance. the new manager is having the desired effect. players that some were saying arsenal need to move on looked fantastic.
it’s like i say, there’s no such thing as bad players, only bad coaches. it’s why i beat the “emery out” drum so loudly. he didn’t know how to play those beautiful instruments arsenal had so he didn’t; sorta like being mad at a cat that doesn’t fetch. arteta has already proven that he knows how to use the players arsenal has. it was great to see so many arsenal fans with big fat smiles all around the ground. i hope mikey continues to have success…and arsenal can play in the champions league next season. coyg!!!
#XhakaIsTheNewArteta
#PassItOn
whoa…slow that horse. xhaka has a looong road to becoming the master yoda that arteta was. in fact, it’s too long; he’ll never get there. here’s hoping xhaka can become half as good as arteta.
Was said in jest 😀 but I fear Arteta may spend altogether too much time trying.
Great to read that again. Thanks. It’s a timely reminder of the backstory of our new head-coach. We can only believe that he will shine again in his new role.
This time in full sight getting the plaudits he so richly deserves.
When one looks at Arteta’s career it reads more like one steadfast, joined-up blueprint than a series of connected but separate episodes culminating in ‘a career’. He must be fully supported by the club in his endeavours, no ifs no buts.
The anti Arsene mood about the club cost Arteta the job at 1st….yet it was easily the best choice as proven as already. The exciting play has already been noticed,the players are all on board and top four trophy and FA cup is worth going after zestfully. The original Boss should be smiling…Never a doubt….COYGs.
I feel this is rather perfect timing, because:
1. Arteta gained 18 months of valuable experience with Guardiola during the Emery period which made him a more viable head coach
2. If there was less pressure on Emery post Wenger, there is much less pressure on Arteta to deliver immediately post Emery
3. The Emery period made everyone of how bad things can become – fans, players, management. It also made Wenger’s legacy that more respectable.
4. We all now (mostly) agree that although results count for a lot, if the matches are not entertaining, everyone loses out eventually. And the results also drop off as players too lose the plot.
In a way i am glad that this how things have happened. Here is hoping Arteta is Wenger 2.0. COYG!
I would still retain some skepticism, because… Arsenal!
2.
Apologies for the typos.
*aware
**much
LANS…..
Timely to reprint this. It was well written and stands up today as one of the best pieces on Arteta and that year, though Santi will always win out with me.
This note especially struck a chord a with me;
“He (Arteta) was the first player Wenger went to when Arsenal beat Newcastle to secure fourth place and their embrace was one of teammates who had worked out the plan together and seen it executed perfectly on the field.”
Sort of the reverse happened after the Manchester United win which Amy Lawrence points out in her piece on Torreira in “The Athletic”
“As soon as the final whistle confirmed victory — catharsis, the turning of a page, you name it — Lucas Torreira made a beeline for his coach. Arsenal’s little midfielder fell into a bear hug with Mikel Arteta and the moment summed up how quickly things can change when a player who had lost his groove feels on top of his game again.”
These two anecdotal observations 7-8 years apart, of Arteta the player and manager (and Wenger and Torriera as well) maybe real clues to Arteta’s potential greatness as an Arsenal coach.
Just watch this, gooners. Arsene and Klopp in conversation. My treat.
Thanks for sharing. Though a bit too much love for Liverpool from Arsene for my liking. I felt a bit like a jealous ex-girlfriend.
The original article is still linked to by Arsenal.com. I would put up a page at the original URL that redirects to this one so that the link is restored. Should be easy to do in WordPress.