Premier League cult hero Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has sparked controversy by suggesting Mikel Arteta is "lucky" to still be in charge at Arsenal, even as the Spaniard closes in on the Gunners' first league title in more than twenty years.
Arteta's Arsenal Tenure Under Scrutiny
Arteta has managed Arsenal since 2019, securing only one FA Cup and two Community Shields during his tenure. Despite this, he has guided the team to three near-misses in the Premier League title race. This season, Arsenal are favourites to clinch the championship, currently leading Manchester City by nine points with eight games remaining. A victory would validate Arteta's project, but Hasselbaink remains sceptical.
Hasselbaink's Critical Assessment
Speaking on Sky Sports before Arsenal's match against Bournemouth, the former Chelsea forward questioned whether Arteta's achievements align with Arsenal's stature. "Arsenal are in a great position at the moment, but let's not forget how long he's been there," Hasselbaink said. "He has won one FA Cup. For a club like Arsenal, is that enough?"
He further highlighted the significant investment under Arteta, noting, "Yes they are in a really good position, but let's look at how much he has spent in the last two years - a lot of money. He has got two good squads, the bench is really strong. Should they not be more ahead?"
Style of Play and Fan Reactions
Arsenal's pragmatic approach this season, emphasising physicality and set-pieces, has yielded results but drawn mixed reviews. Hasselbaink commented, "You look at the football - they are pragmatic. They are solid they don't give a lot away. Yes, that's how you win the league normally. Would I want to see more the Arsenal way? Yes. With a bit more flair. But that is me, a lover of football."
He concluded, "You don't win leagues all the time like that. I think he has been very lucky to be this long at a club of that stature. They must have believed in him. That doesn't happen a lot."
Arsenal fans swiftly responded on social media, defending Arteta's impact. One supporter wrote, "I can see they are gearing up the narratives to use and water down the title win when it's confirmed. I know this game." Another added, "Harsh take. Mikel Arteta built Arsenal into title contenders. That's not luck, that's a project paying off." A third noted, "He's made Arsenal a lot of money by getting them into the Champions League and sustaining title challenges consistently. It goes both ways."
