Yahoo Finance Mikel Arteta criticism 'unjust', says Hector Bellerin, as Arsenal manager feels the heat after poor start to season
Hector Bellerin has said speculation over Mikel Arteta’s future is “so unjust” and insisted that the Arsenal manager’s overhaul of the club cannot be completed overnight.
Arteta won the FA Cup in his first season but is now facing more pressure than at any point in his short managerial career following the club’s worst start to a league season since 1981.
The Spaniard retains the full support of the club and his squad and, ahead of a crucial north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, Bellerin said the players must take responsibility for the club’s poor form.
Asked about the speculation over Arteta’s future, Bellerin told BeIN Sports: “So unjust, so unjust. We have to, as players, take responsibility for this because I think we all know that Mikel and his coaching team give us all the tools that we need to win all the games.
“When you lose a game it is always very easy to blame the coach. But also when the coach gives us the tools we have to be the ones to step up.
“The way that Mikel plans these games, all the knowledge they give us before we step on to the pitch is second to none.
“Sometimes it is not that easy, depending on the opponent, but that is why football is beautiful. If you play the games on the [tactics] board, then it will be a completely different game.”
ESPN reported on Friday that Arsenal’s players held a clear-the-meeting at the training ground following their defeat by Wolves last weekend, in which there were angry exchanges. The meeting is reported to have ended amicably, with the players desperate to support their manager by improving performances.
Arteta inherited an imbalanced squad and a club that was spiralling out of control under Unai Emery. He has since been able to convince a number of key players, including Bellerin, to commit to his new project.
The manager has said he needs “time and time and time” to rebuild the club and Bellerin believes their current struggles in front of goal are a part of this process.
“I have to say that when you are planning on doing something big – and that’s what he’s doing, changing the identity of the team, of the club, change the behaviours – he’s not trying to make changes just on the pitch but outside of it, this isn’t something you can do overnight,” said Bellerin.
“I feel the team has improved massively in so many areas of the game that needed improvement. Even though we’re not doing so great in others, it’s all part of the process.
“When you’re trying to implement such a big idea it does take time for everyone to get used to it and it takes time to get results.
“But one thing that I feel is that since he came he has instilled a confidence in this team, a hunger. For us that’s so important. I’m certain that things are going to get so much better.”
