Mikel Arteta Sack Message Handed to Arsenal Chiefs During Everton Game Changed Everything

Mikel Arteta Sack Message Handed to Arsenal Chiefs During Everton Game Changed Everything

Mikel Arteta’s journey with Arsenal has been a rollercoaster ride, but there was a pivotal moment four years ago when his managerial future seemed bleak.

Arteta was on the brink of being sacked during a 2-1 defeat against Everton—a moment that would have significantly altered the trajectory of his managerial career and the club’s future.

Arteta’s Early Struggles: A Near-Exit at Goodison Park

Back on December 19, 2020, Mikel Arteta was just under a year into his role as Arsenal’s manager. His side faced Everton in a must-win game, but his young, struggling team fell short.

Goals from Rob Holding’s own goal and Yerry Mina sealed a 2-1 loss. This defeat followed a harrowing period: Arsenal had managed only one win in ten matches leading up to this clash.

The pressure was mounting, and the Spaniard’s job seemed to be hanging by a thread.

During that tense period, Jamie Carragher came to Arteta’s defense at halftime on Sky Sports, urging the board to show patience and give the young manager more time.

Carragher said at the time:

“For [Arsenal] to get back to where they want to be, they will have to go through a lot of pain and they will do. A couple of signings they made this season, Gabriel [Magalhaes], [Thomas] Partey, they could be a big part of Arsenal for years to come. But they need a few more players in the January transfer window. The recruitment has been shocking, absolutely shocking the last few years for Arsenal.”

These prophetic words hinted at a long-term rebuild through strategic recruitment—and it turned out to be correct.

The Turning Point and Arteta’s Rebuild

Following that difficult period, Arteta began introducing changes. A Boxing Day victory over Chelsea provided much-needed momentum. The addition of academy talent like Emile Smith Rowe and strategic signings like Ben White and Martin Odegaard brought optimism back to the club.

From nearly being sacked to turning Arsenal into legitimate title contenders, Arteta implemented tactical innovation, discipline, and consistent player recruitment. By 2021, Arteta had Arsenal back in European competition, and by the 2022 season, they were close to clinching their first league title in 20 years but ultimately fell short by two points.

The Present Pressure and Long-Term Success

Today, Arteta finds himself with a more talented and cohesive squad, yet the pressure remains high. The expectations are tangible—trophies are a must for a manager who has transformed Arsenal’s culture. Arteta’s tactics, player development, and leadership have laid the foundation for a successful future, but one slip-up against Everton could reignite memories of his early struggles and heighten scrutiny.

As Arteta builds toward his goals, every game represents both a continuation of his progress and a challenge to prove himself once again. His journey highlights that the difference between success and failure is narrow—his defeat to Everton in 2020 was close to signaling the end, but his ability to turn it around has cemented his position as one of football’s sharpest tactical minds.

A Changed Arsenal and Arteta’s Legacy

Four years on, it’s clear that the sack message during that Everton game turned everything. Now, Arteta isn’t merely a manager—he’s a proven tactician with the ability to unite a club and bring ambition back to its roots.

Now, with the Premier League title firmly in sight this season, Arteta must maintain focus and ensure that the lessons from the past remain central to his strategy. His managerial resilience, tactical flexibility, and ability to identify talent will once again come under scrutiny as his journey with Arsenal continues.

Whether this is a fresh chapter in his tactical evolution or a crossroads moment is yet to be decided. One thing is certain: Arteta is no longer just fighting to save his job—he’s crafting a legacy that could define the next era for the Gunners.