On August 29, 2020, things were going well for Mikel Arteta at Arsenal after beating Liverpool at Wembley.
Yes, only the Community Shield, but the victory came against Jurgen Klopp's previously all-conquering Reds side and marked Arteta's second trophy in a month after a fine showing to win the FA Cup Final against Chelsea.
That FA Cup result also made him the first Arsenal manager to win a major trophy in his first season since George Graham back in 1986-87, and in September his job title was changed from head coach to manager, consolidating his power at the club.
However, after a disappointing 3-0 loss against the same opponents on Saturday in his 50th match in charge, his side lie 10th, only above the bottom half and newly promoted Leeds on goal difference, out of the domestic cups and with no real chance of finishing in the European slots.
In fact, their season hinges on European success - with Arteta taking his side into Europa League quarter-final action against Slavia Prague tonight. It also appears their most likely route back into Europe next season, given their domestic form.
Sportsmail takes a look at the statistics to discern what progress, if any, has been made during Arteta's stewardship, and analyses how he stacks up to predecessor Unai Emery and Arsene Wenger's disappointing denouement at the Emirates.
As shown in the table above, Arsenal - in Wenger's last 50 matches - won 54 per cent of their games, scoring 96 in the process - almost two goals in every outing.
Club icon Wenger enjoyed huge success in his early years at the club, but departed at the end of his contract in 2018 despite wanting to stay, calling his exit 'very hard' and 'very brutal' amid widespread hostility from the fanbase.
In Emery's first 51 games, his side won 49 per cent of their fixtures, scoring 91 goals, drawing more but losing less than compared to Wenger.
Spaniard Emery, now at Villarreal, went on a 22-match unbeaten streak during his first campaign but was sacked in November 2019 after a seven-game winless run.
Arteta's tenure started promisingly with two trophies, but his first 50 games compare unfavourably to the Frenchman and Emery, with fewer matches won and more matches lost than both.
His win percentage rests at 42 per cent, clearly below his two full-time predecessors, with only 72 goals scored - an average of less than one-and-a-half per game.
This tallies with the recent goalscoring woes of captain and talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who only has one goal in his last six league appearances.
The 31-year-old Gabonese striker has struggled with inconsistent form this campaign since signing a lucrative three-year contract back in September.
Nonetheless, Arteta's defence is tighter so far, having conceded 56 compared to 64 under Wenger and 70 under Emery in the period studied, although his clean sheet record is marginally worse than Wenger's.
Critics could point to questionable recruitment affecting Arteta's struggles at the Emirates so far, with players likely to be uncertain over their futures considering the sizeable proposed squad overhaul this summer.
German midfielder Mesut Ozil was ostracised and then sold to Fenerbahce, ostensibly due to the lack of a No 10 in Arteta's usual tactical system, although Real Madrid loanee Martin Odegaard has since impressed in his spot behind the striker.
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was sold to Aston Villa despite playing well in the latter stages of last season, and has been integral for Dean Smith's side, while No 1 Bernd Leno has failed to hit the heights of the Argentine.
Midfielder Thomas Partey signed for £45million but has been limited to 16 Premier League appearances due to injury, while error-prone Granit Xhaka has been ever present in the engine room with Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi out on loan.
yumbiku
0
Is about time arteta must leave arsenal now It seems the team is no where to improve
FootballArtist
0
bro,klop second season was better than this Arteta second season by far.and I don't hear maybe klop signed a single 50 million player before he turned thing around in his second season
bro all I'm saying is his first seasons it wasn't all rosy
BartleyAlkaline1212
1
Arteta OUT
no pls give him some time
Dennisind
2
Arteta is worse than emery let's accept the fact
samkindel
0
These statistics relevant data but irrelevant to judge Arteta at the moment. Even Klop at Liverpool didn't start that well cos his first seasons weren't as good but he was given time cos he's class. Arteta too is a young coach with great potential; let's give him time to perfect his profession so that reap the fruits after some time. Whoever wrote this article sounds like a guy on a mission after being for it!
bro, check it again...klopp second season which is 2016/2017, Liverpool grab the 4th position From 8th position during 2015/2016 season.
pihdeiku
2
Arteta OUT
likabcemps
0
A club without vision, useless and stupid management which are going on where,
Alibaba2020
0
Klopp second season he entered Europa final 🙃🙃🙃 and he entered top 4
And what trophy did he won???
PMax1979
4
Anyone call ing what Arsenal are doing currently, "progress", they need dope/psychiatric help/an a$$ whooping, in whichever order preferable...
ajasaemma2004
0
stopped saying what you don't know broh klop second season is not better than this Arteta and has Arteta signed any 50M player???
Klopp second season he entered Europa final 🙃🙃🙃 and he entered top 4
Alibaba2020
0
stopped saying what you don't know broh klop second season is not better than this Arteta and has Arteta signed any 50M player???
if not partey which he been getting injured since he came...
Alibaba2020
0
bro,klop second season was better than this Arteta second season by far.and I don't hear maybe klop signed a single 50 million player before he turned thing around in his second season
stopped saying what you don't know broh klop second season is not better than this Arteta and has Arteta signed any 50M player???
Alibaba2020
0
The Spirit of Ozil keeps hunting Arsenal
which spirit of ozil is that... ozil that has done nothing since leaving Arsenal... his new club keep loosing since he got there...
Alibaba2020
0
Arteta didn’t bring anything new to Arsenal
REALLY??? what a fans
Nakbdeir
1
Rookie manager can't be trusted in the big stages. oh sorry we are not in UCL anymore.. may be that's the reason he is still in charge 🙃
suubckmst
0
trust the process my ass
zacekmostz
0
trust the process manager my assss
bulut
0
poor transfer policy and lack of scouting is arsenal's major problem
raeabcemyz
0
arsenal is a dinosaur. dead long ago.
danoni31
1
Arteta definitely have his own flaws but I think he's also a victim of poor decisions and investment by the Arsenal board. Kroenke should do better because the fans deserve much more.
Fifbro11
3
Stats don’t tell anything. While some coaches say Never Give Up, Play it like a Final. Arteta is different. He created a whole new thing: Trust The Process. Greatest manager ever
Heather_Total_Drama
3
Arteta didn’t bring anything new to Arsenal
Pobactuz
0
NONE. Why need to wait. Beating Liverpool was a fluke game. Just bench Arteta and bring in new Manager. Let him suffer the humiliation face by Ozil and other players. Pay back time
EmeraldJ
1
The Spirit of Ozil keeps hunting Arsenal
samkindel
0
These statistics relevant data but irrelevant to judge Arteta at the moment. Even Klop at Liverpool didn't start that well cos his first seasons weren't as good but he was given time cos he's class. Arteta too is a young coach with great potential; let's give him time to perfect his profession so that reap the fruits after some time. Whoever wrote this article sounds like a guy on a mission after being for it!
bro,klop second season was better than this Arteta second season by far.and I don't hear maybe klop signed a single 50 million player before he turned thing around in his second season
Akekala
1
This article was so boring to read, give me back my 3mins Arsenal
voycdelptu
3
For me Arsenal is moving backwards
pazabklmny
2
no progress
Tecbdikmry
2
nothing progress he has made
kocmpsu
1
ARSENAL WILL WIN ALL THE REMAINING GAMES EXCEPT A DRAW THTS GONNA BE AGAINST CHELSEA BELIEVE IN MY WORDS
Why must we draw against chelsea?😂
elisan
0
ARSENAL WILL WIN ALL THE REMAINING GAMES EXCEPT A DRAW THTS GONNA BE AGAINST CHELSEA BELIEVE IN MY WORDS
Sidharth20
1
Arteta needs time ... Needs to bring in players who will fight for the badge and sell players who are useless and only play for money ... He needs atleast 2 seasons to create a strong team 💯💯
FootballArtist
1
These statistics relevant data but irrelevant to judge Arteta at the moment. Even Klop at Liverpool didn't start that well cos his first seasons weren't as good but he was given time cos he's class. Arteta too is a young coach with great potential; let's give him time to perfect his profession so that reap the fruits after some time. Whoever wrote this article sounds like a guy on a mission after being for it!
samkindel
5
i use this medium to say Arteta at arsenal, there's no any improvement.even Emery stat was better than Arteta in arsenal.with guedonzi, Emery still took arsenal to 5th position and he was still sacked.with this little point of mine,am hereby to convince not confuse u that arteta must be sack
kayapeople
2
not a bad start. he needs to read game before making his pick team