Mikel Arteta’s managerial debut at Arsenal took place in December 2019 against Bournemouth, and he assembled a squad that was a mix of experienced veterans and promising young talent. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, setting the tone for what was to come. But what has happened to that original squad since then? We take a look at where they are now.
The First XI under Arteta
Goalkeeper
- Bernd Leno was Arteta’s choice for the starting XI in his first game. However, Leno struggled to find consistency and has since moved on to Fulham.
Defenders
- Ainsley Maitland-Niles initially showed promise, playing in various positions. However, he was eventually sent out on loan and subsequently released by Arsenal. He is currently searching for a new club.
- Sokratis was a senior figure in the squad, but was let go by Arteta. He now plays for Olympiacos.
- David Luiz was never truly embraced by Arsenal fans and has since moved to Flamengo in Brazil.
- Bukayo Saka has thrived under Arteta’s management, converting from a left-back to a right-winger and becoming an indispensable player for Arsenal.
Midfielders
- Lucas Torreira failed to make a lasting impact at Arsenal and, after loan spells, eventually moved to Galatasaray.
- Granit Xhaka was one of the few players to thrive under Arteta, becoming a key figure in the midfield. Despite his success, he eventually moved to Bayer Leverkusen.
Forwards
- Reiss Nelson had sporadic appearances for Arsenal and his future is currently uncertain.
- Mesut Ozil fell out of favor with Arteta and eventually retired after a stint in Turkey.
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had a souring relationship with Arteta, which led to moves to Barcelona and then Chelsea.
- Alexandre Lacazette struggled to score enough goals for Arsenal and left for Lyon on a free transfer.
Arsenal’s starting XI for Mikel Arteta’s first home game as manager in December 2019. 🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/9zDDfN7jcj
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) February 1, 2023
Arteta’s Arsenal Journey
Mikel Arteta‘s journey at Arsenal has been a roller coaster ride. He joined the club as a player in August 2011 and quickly became a key figure, showcasing his excellent passing abilities and leadership qualities. However, injuries plagued his career, and he eventually retired from professional football in August 2016.
Following his retirement, Arteta began his coaching career under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. He returned to Arsenal as the club’s manager in December 2019, aiming to make an impact from the touchline instead. Despite the ups and downs, Arteta’s presence at the club has been marked by his clear vision and ambition to restore Arsenal to the top tier of English football.
Final Thoughts
Mikel Arteta’s first Arsenal XI has seen significant changes since that 1-1 draw against Bournemouth. Only two players from that squad remain at the club, and the rest have moved on to different clubs or even retired. Despite the changes, Arteta’s influence as a manager has been clear, and he continues to work towards building a squad that can compete at the highest level. While his first XI may have gone their separate ways, Arteta’s journey at Arsenal is far from over.
