Mikel Arteta and Carlo Ancelotti both landed management roles in December, but many would have predicted the jobs to be the other way round.
Champions League and Premier League winning-coach Ancelotti joined Europe-less Everton . While Arteta , who played for both clubs, took his first management job at Arsenal – a giant of a club desperate to get back into the top four and dominate Europe once again.
Both managers took charge of their respective first games on Boxing Day, Ancelotti has managed nine and Arteta 10.
Here’s how their records compare after nearly two months in charge at Goodison Park and the Emirates.
Ancelotti
(Image: REUTERS)
Managed: 9
Won: 5
Drawn: 2
Lost: 2
Arteta
(Image: Getty Images)
Managed: 10
Won: 4
Drawn: 5
Lost: 1
Both managers share a very similar record. Ancelotti does have a high win percentage but there is no doubting that these results are positive for both sides.
Everton fans will tell you Ancelotti has impressed them, that he has introduced cohesion and a more direct attack.
Arsenal supporters will tell you they are very satisfied with Arteta. The Spaniard has introduced solidity at the back and the team seem to have a sense of direction they previously lacked.
There’s obviously no way of knowing how one would have got on in the other’s role but so far neither appointment has been a car crash. In fact, they’re positive. Maybe they chose the right clubs after all.
