Mikel Arteta told he has changed something at Arsenal which has made Declan Rice and Gabriel Martinelli worse

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Mikel Arteta has certainly evolved as a manager in recent years at Arsenal.

At one point, Arteta had Arsenal finishing in mid-table, but now, he’s turned the Gunners into bona fide title contenders over the past two seasons.

It’s not just tactically where Arteta has changed either. His personality on the touchline has also changed.

Indeed, at one point, Arteta was branded as ridiculous for being too animated on the touchline. However, now he seems to be much calmer.

Speaking on Premier League Productions, Don Hutchison has noted this change, and he says that it’s actually had a negative effect on this Arsenal team.

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Mikel Arteta’s change in personality has affected Arsenal

Hutchison shared his verdict on Arteta appearing more calm on the touchline.

Hutchison says that Arsenal look like they have less fight now, and he pointed towards Declan Rice and Gabriel Martinelli as two players who look jaded.

“Mikel Arteta over the past two or three years have been quite lively, he’s been quite jumpy, he’s been animated,” Hutchison said.

“Some people criticise that but I like that, it showed that he had the fight in him to affect things on a football pitch. Him being quite calm is having a knock-on effect for players on the pitch who look quite jaded, I’m talking about Martinelli, I’m talking about Declan Rice, the list goes on and on.”

How has Mikel Arteta changed?

Hutchison isn’t the only person to note this change in Arteta as of late.

Indeed, towards the end of last season Adrian Clarke also noted that Arteta seems much calmer.

“Mikel Arteta is much calmer this season isn’t he? Nobody is talking about what he’s doing in the technical area because he’s not doing it this season,” He said.

“That’s a really good point. It’s not been spoken about enough this season, but he is much calmer and so are the team, they’ve just gained so much confidence from the performances they’ve produced this season, particularly in big games.”

Previously, Arteta has been labelled a clown for his touchline antics, and that seems to be something he’s seriously worked on, but that lack of fire and passion on the touchline may have affected some of his players in a negative way.

There’s a fine balance to be struck between being over the top and being too stoic on the touchline to the point where you’re not inspiring your players.