Mikel Arteta has now opened up about one “gift” he gave to Arsenal in an attempt to galvanise the club during a difficult period.
Arsenal were a club in something of a crisis when they appointed Mikel Arteta as manager in December 2019.
There was a toxic rift between the club and the fans, and the Gunners had fallen away from Champions League qualification contention.
Arteta has gradually transformed the club since his appointment. He quickly led the North London outfit to an FA Cup triumph, but then there was a period of struggle. Inconsistent form and an eighth-place finish in the Premier League saw the Spanish coach come under intense pressure.
Arsenal sporting director Edu has since explained why sacking Arteta was never considered as an option. The club’s hierarchy are now enjoying their reward for standing firm behind the manager, as Arsenal are potentially one game away from being crowned Premier League champions.
If Arsenal beat Everton at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, and Manchester City drop points against West Ham United, then Arteta will lift the Premier League trophy.
Getting to this point has not been easy, though. The former midfielder has now reflected upon the state that the club was in when he first took up his position in the dugout, and one action that he took to inspire change.
The strange gift Mikel Arteta gave to Arsenal
As quoted by BBC Sport, Arteta said: “The issue was much deeper. The issue was in our roots. It was all a mess.
“We need our people. We need to convince them that you are committed and you are willing to take this club to a very different place.”
To symbolise his commitment, Arteta presented an olive tree to the club, as old as Arsenal are themselves, and had it planted outside his office at the training ground.
He explained: “I planted the tree and said, ‘This is my gift. Now you have to look after it. It’s a living thing. You cannot let it die.’
“It’s going to be there every single day. You have to look at it and you are all responsible.”
Whilst this was undeniably an unconventional gesture, the symbolism is clear, and it was presumably well-received by those within the club.
How Mikel Arteta has transformed Arsenal into Premier League title contenders
Arteta has worked hard to improve things on and off the pitch at Arsenal. Alongside Edu, he has built a young, hungry squad. They are a tight-knit group and eager to achieve great things together.
The relationship with the fans has also been healed. There are now regularly passionate and raucous atmospheres at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal have also revolutionised their approach to player contracts, and have shown great ambition in the transfer market.
Reiss Nelson has hailed Arteta for the positive atmosphere he has created at Arsenal, which seemingly all started with the planting of a single olive tree.
