STILL in the early stages of his managerial career at Arsenal, Mikel Arteta has shown a good balance of calm and ruthlessness – much like George Graham in the 1980s.
Like Graham, Arteta arrived with a strong bond with the Gunners and an understanding of “the Arsenal way”.
Both appointments raised eyebrows, too – with both deemed as relatively young and inexperienced for such a big job.
On the positive side, both arrived at the club knowing the task at hand: to rouse the sleeping giant.
While the styles of Arteta and Graham are very different, there are still many parallels that can be drawn.
Graham inherited an amazing crop of youngsters and – to a lesser degree – Arteta has too.
But both also took over with a hoard of established stars and fan favourites who did not fit the profile or the plan of the new boss.
Within weeks of arriving Graham had ushered Martin Keown, Stewart Robson, Paul Mariner, Tony Woodcock and Tommy Caton out of the door.
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In the first season without these stars, he won his first trophy – blending youth with experience to full effect.
However, within two years, most of those who had survived the initial Graham cull found they too were surplus to his requirements.
Fan favourites, Viv Anderson, Kenny Sansom and Charlie Nicholas left the following year.
Even without them, Graham brought an 18-year title drought to an end.
The difficulty for Arteta lies in the fact moving on highly-paid stars is not as easy now as it was back in the day.
However, the established stars – and some fan favourites – who don’t fit into the Spaniard’s plans, will still be dumped.
Arteta will leave them out in the cold until they accept their fate and accept a move or their contracts run out.
Make no mistake, there is a quiet revolution occurring at Arsenal led by the charming-yet-ruthless Spanish gentleman.
This will not be complete over one transfer window, either.
As with Graham, the whole transition will take at least two years and some players who survive this season under Arteta, must not rest on their laurels as they could easily be dumped next summer.
After all, Graham sold Lukic – who he felt was in the top three goalkeepers in the league – to buy David Seaman.
Arteta, too, will happily sacrifice players who have performed well for him if a better player – or a player who fits the Arsenal style – becomes available.
He has the same steel Graham possessed and, like the canny Scot, he will make surprising decisions which will ultimately look inspired, in hindsight.
Finally, Graham and Arteta quickly surrounded themselves with men they trusted.
These were not simply order-following “yes men”, but trusted colleagues from whom he could seek advice or safely delegate to.
Both Graham then and Arteta now see the management of Arsenal as a team effort – with each and every individual trusted in their role to achieve the ultimate goal.
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