Arteta’s journey at Arsenal provides an instructive parallel to Erik ten Hag’s current role at Manchester United. Both faced daunting challenges with teams that were once dominant but had fallen on hard times.
They inherited clubs with problematic recruitment strategies, a mix of high-paid yet underperforming players, and owners who seemed disconnected from effective football decisions.
Arteta’s tenure at Arsenal started with modest achievements: he led the team to an eighth-place finish in his first full season, followed by a fifth-place finish the next year.
By 2022, after two-and-a-half years in charge, Arsenal was competing fiercely with Manchester City for the top spot in the Premier League.
Erik ten Hag, who took over at Manchester United, finished his first season in eighth place as well. As he continues his work, there is considerable pressure on him to replicate Arteta’s success. The recent defeats to Brighton and Liverpool have only intensified scrutiny and criticism of Ten Hag.
The Guardian has reported that doubts about Ten Hag’s suitability for the role are not limited to external commentators; there are significant concerns within the club’s new football structure under Ineos.
Despite Ten Hag having won more trophies in two years compared to Arteta’s near five-year stint, Arsenal seems to be making steady progress, whereas the gap between Arsenal and Manchester United has only widened during Ten Hag’s time at the helm.
Stan Collymore, a former England international, expressed strong criticism in his “Caught Offside” column. He argues that Ten Hag is struggling to match the progress made by Arteta.
Colleymore believes that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos might have decided to keep Ten Hag because they hope to replicate the patience Arsenal showed with Arteta, hoping that time will bring similar results.
However, Collymore is skeptical about Ten Hag’s ability to deliver. He acknowledges that while Arsenal’s trophy haul under Arteta may seem modest—just one FA Cup—the team has shown clear and consistent improvement.
Arsenal has regained its identity, playing exciting, fast-paced football. In contrast, Manchester United under Ten Hag lacks the vibrant, attacking style that the club was historically known for.
According to Collymore, the team’s current performances are often too passive or even dull, leading him to believe that Ten Hag may not be the right fit for Manchester United.
