Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal are beginning to display the attributes he is trying to instill in his side.
The Spaniard has been in charge of the Gunners less than two months, with a mixed bag of results.
Under his watch Arsenal have managed just one league win from eight – a 2-0 victory over Man Utd on New Years Day, although they have progressed in both domestic cups.
And despite their top four hopes disappearing into the distance, Arteta insists his team are moving in the right direction.
“There have been a lot of positives,” Arteta told Sky Sports. “I have tried to convince the players that if we work on certain things in training, they will happen in games and we will score goals from them. There have been some really good moments like that with things I have asked them to do.
(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
“As well, some of the counter-pressing we have done has been very good. Some of the behaviours of the players weren’t there before, particularly the top players tracking back. The distances between us and how compact we are is much better, and so is our body language during games.”
Arteta took his players to Dubai for a warm-weather training camp during their two-week winter break, in a bid to forge a greater unity in the dressing room.
He even invited his squad to bring their families along, as he bids to create an atmosphere similar to the one which helped form the backbone of success at his previous club Man City.
“The first thing was to make those changes in terms of our culture, how we live together, some of the behaviours that I expect from players and staff and some of the values that we have to have at this club,” Arteta added.
The win over United was arguably Arsenal’s finest performance of the season, though latest run-outs have failed to get near that marker.
But Arteta is confident the foundations have already been laid for his side to flourish.
“I think we changed the energy at this club. I think we brought the team and the fans together, which wasn’t an easy thing to do. And then, on the playing side, I think we are starting to see some signs of how I want the team to play, how I want it to behave, and the type of passion and commitment that the players have to show under me.”
