Arteta’s first season at the helm of Arsenal brought immediate success, with the team winning the FA Cup, although the following year saw them finish eighth in the Premier League. However, the team’s fortunes began to improve over time, with Arsenal finishing fifth in the 2021-2022 season, followed by two consecutive second-place finishes in the Premier League. A key part of Arteta’s early strategy was to address the internal culture at the club. He focused on understanding the team’s dynamics and identifying the areas that needed change to foster a winning mentality. According to Arteta, the club’s foundations, or "roots," needed to be strengthened for the team to move forward, and he dedicated significant effort in his first season to restoring these aspects, believing that without fixing the internal issues, building success would be impossible.

Now, as Arteta prepares for Arsenal’s upcoming match against Crystal Palace, he reflects on how far the club has come since his early days as manager. The transformation of Arsenal under his guidance is evident, not just in terms of the team's performance but also in the shift in the club's overall atmosphere. While Arteta initially faced doubts and criticism, his leadership and vision have proven successful, gradually making Arsenal a stronger, more competitive side. His ability to instill a new culture within the team has been fundamental to their resurgence, and despite the pressures and challenges of his early managerial career, Arteta continues to lead Arsenal toward greater success.