18 February 2024 , 05:00
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Mikel Arteta has gradually managed to transform Arsenal's fortunes since taking charge in 2019 and the Gunners are once again bonafide Premier League title contenders.
But the Spaniard inherited a club in disarray after stepping in to replace Unai Emery. He struggled to things around initially, too, and his job was believed to be under threat before Arsenal's FA Cup triumph in 2020.
Since then, the Londoners have gone from strength to strength with a completely different squad, with a handful of vibrant young now at the forefront of the squad. Arteta has had to be ruthless to get to this point - something Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang found out.
Both were underperforming on big salaries and both were unceremoniously shown the exit door. Before Ozil's exit, renowned pundit Alan Shearer pointed out how the German playmaker's lucrative contract had turned into a major problem for Arsenal.
"I'm sure he [Mikel Arteta] knew it already, but he knows he has got a big, big, difficult job on his hands," Shearer said during an episode of Match of the Day back in 2020.
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"One to get results, and two to get players out of that football club who he needs to. When you look at the Aubameyang situation with his contract, I don't see him signing a contract there, I don't.
"And there's no way they can give him that. It was a huge mistake to give Mesut Ozil that salary. He can't even get into the team when they're going to Brighton. It's one thing at Manchester City, but when you're going to Brighton and you know you've got to be creative, he can't even get in the team. And it's not only this manager that hasn't picked him."
Join the debate! Do you think any of the players Herrera mentioned could become world-class? Let us know here.
Mikel Arteta was lumbered with players on big contracts like Mesut Ozil (Getty Images)While Aubameyang was given a bumper contract, he didn't last long at the Emirates under Arteta, who tore up said deal with Arsenal back in February 2022.
Since then, Arteta, with the help of sporting director Edu, has assembled an exciting young squad that came agonisingly closer to winning the title last season before a late collapse.
The Gunners looked well placed to challenge again this year after strengthening their squad in the summer transfer window. Arteta's men are currently in third place, two points behind league leaders Liverpool.
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