Mikel Arteta cited as Chelsea fans told to change their way – pundit
Alan Hutton has suggested Mikel Arteta’s rebuild at Arsenal was harder than Graham Potter’s job at Chelsea.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Tottenham and Aston Villa defender said Arteta had some “hard decisions” to make during his early days at the Emirates.
The Gunners have yet to finish in the top four since the 40-year-old took over but are currently on course for a momentous Premier League title.
Since Graham Potter took over at Stamford Bridge in September 2022, the new owners have spent over £300billion on new players but are struggling for form with just two wins in 2023.
On 3 March, sources told this site that the Blues are keeping their faith in the current boss despite poor results and growing pressure from fans.
He is still viewed as part of the London club’s long-term project and owner Todd Boehly is keen to give Potter time to turn things around.
When asked if fans should look to Mikel Arteta’s turnaround at Arsenal as proof that managers need time, Hutton told Football Insider: “If you look at Arteta it was done slightly different, there was a bloated squad there, he had to get rid of a number of players, some hard decisions.
“The likes of [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang, that sort of thing.
“They brought young talent through and mixed it with experience and it took time. These things do not happen overnight.
“I understand fans are impatient at times, they want to see silverware, going for titles. But you have to give a new manager a certain amount of time to get his philosophy across and how he wants to play.“
In other news, Kieran Maguire shreds Chelsea deal after £20m-a-year agreement – ‘common sense thrown aside’.