Mikel Arteta has this weekend opened up on what he believes to be the key to success.
Arteta’s comments come as Arsenal remain in the thick of the hunt to secure Champions League football for the first time since 2017.
The Gunners endured a simply woeful start to the season, which saw them lose three league games on the bounce by a combined scoreline of 9-0.
However, since then, especially in 2022, Arsenal have looked a much, much better side.
The north Londoners have lost just once in the Premier League since January 1st, and are now 4th in the division with one game in hand on the three teams below them.
Arteta on the key to success
So, how has Mikel Arteta been able to transform this Arsenal side from one that finished 8th in the previous two campaigns to one now potentially set to return to Europe’s biggest stage?
“But also it’s about how much they do to adapt. They might not speak English when they arrive, but what can you do in a month or two months?
“They might say ‘it’s difficult for me’ but how much are you really trying? Because for me the language is an absolute basic. It’s the platform for everything. If not, you cannot communicate, make yourself understood or noticeable. You cannot create your figure, your identity, within the dressing room and the club without being able to communicate.
“It’s impossible, so I always put a lot of emphasis on players when they arrive – the first thing is you have to learn the language. You have to be able to communicate. That’s whether you are coming from the academy or not it doesn’t matter – you have to be able to talk with your teammates. It’s something we talk about because in my opinion it’s a key to success.”
