The weird Arteta Cult
The weird and unsettling Arteta personality cult among a large number of prominent purported Arsenal fans has been interesting and illuminating, heralding the sad decline in ambition and expectation of the once-great football club.
What makes this Arteta worship extremely strange is he has done nothing to justify this level of sycophancy and devotion. The obsequiousness for a novice who has transformed Arsenal into a more racially diverse Burnley is deeply mystifying.
Is finishing 8th in the Premier League worthy of reverence? Is crashing out of the Europa League to Unai Emery’s Villarreal in a whimper deserving of veneration? Or was it suffering the most home defeats in 91 years or scoring only 24 goals at home, the fewest since 1973/74? Could it possibly be the four consecutive home defeats, a feat not matched in 61 years?
When Wenger retained significant support among Arsenal fans despite the undeniable drop in standards and quality, it was because he overhauled the club and introduced flowing, attacking football that brought trophies. He had a track record to point to. Arteta, meanwhile, only has an FA Cup to his name, which he won by playing Tony Pulis football. Fortunately for him, he has an exotic name and is not English, so isn’t subjected to the kind of vitriol and judgment England managers face for their regressive style of football.
Not only is this deferential fawning present in the fanbase, but members of the media are also extremely slavish in their praise and defence of Arteta. Sam Dean at the Telegraph sought to reassure Arsenal fans that the contract extensions of Saka, Smith Rowe, Tierney and Aubameyang was part of a “rebuild” and “sends a good message.” In May, Dean insisted Arteta and his cartel be given “time to learn on the job” as they are “rookies.”
Meanwhile, The Athletic’s David Ornstein, who operates as a de facto Arsenal spokesman, showered praise on Sheffield United’s average goalkeeper Ramsdale and said he would be a “welcome addition” to the squad. Some of these so-called journalists are no doubt motivated, in part, by self-interest, thinking positive coverage of Arteta and the club will secure them more access to sources and scoops. But it does not make it any less pernicious. The atrophy of critical and challenging journalism in favour of scoop-focused reporting has eroded the quality of journalism.
This unusual unity of prominent journalists and fans glued together by a collective Arteta love has drowned out real critics. Those who do offer genuine and correct criticisms are negative, unrealistic or ignorant. It is dangerous and depressing that many fans have outsourced their independent thoughts to someone who does not warrant such power. Until this cult disintegrates and sanity returns, Arsenal will continue to be a stagnating club.