Five games that have defined Mikel Arteta's time at Arsenal

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 6 May 2022 12:17 BST
• 4 min read

There was a time when news of Mikel Arteta signing a contract extension would have resulted in something of an uproar among Arsenal fans.

But alas, the Spaniard has steered the ship steady and the club are back on a positive trajectory, with a Champions League spot a real possibility for the North London side this season.

Indeed, the club announced on Friday 6 May that their former midfielder has signed a deal that will see him remain at the Emirates Stadium until 2025.

As such, FootballTransfers have taken a look back at five of his most career-defining games as Gunners manager.

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Arsenal 2-0 Manchester United (January 1, 2020)

Arsenal began the New Year in 2020 in the best possible fashion. Arteta recorded his first-ever win as a manager, with goals from Nicolas Pepe and Sokratis securing three points for the side.

It wasn’t a slick display by any measure. In fact, in the second-half, the side were pinned back for large periods with Manchester United ramping up the pressure.

But, to Arsenal and Arteta’s credit, the home side managed to cling on and earn their first clean sheet at the Emirates in three months.

The win also saw them put an end to a torrid run of seven home games without a win in all competitions, while they jumped to 10th place in the Premier League.

Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea (August 1, 2020)

Arteta enjoyed his first-ever major trophy as Arsenal boss with a 2-1 win over Chelsea in the FA Cup final. The triumph rounded off what was a brilliant passage to the final, with the Gunners beating Leeds United, Bournemouth, Portsmouth, Sheffield United and Manchester City along the way.

A double from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sealed the club’s record-14th FA Cup, while the display was brimming with excellence - as the side executed their game plan perfectly.

Frank Lampard’s Chelsea were unable to come up with any answers as they succumbed to a shock cup loss.

The win also secured European football at the Emirates Stadium for the following season, and Arsenal were able to make another Wembley appearance for the Community Shield, which they also won.

Slavia Prague 0-4 Arsenal (April 15, 2021)

Arteta was in the dugout as the Gunners managed to breeze past Slavia Prague and put themselves into the semi-finals of the Europa League in 2021.

Coming into the tie level at 1-1, Arsenal blitzed the Czech side with a barrage of goals in the opening proceedings. They scored three in the first 24 minutes, while they had another was ruled out by the video assistant referee.

The quick succession of goals essentially turned the tie into something of a non-contest and Arsenal were able to just remain in third gear for the remaining hour of the game. Arteta later said the win was an ‘important one in a crucial moment.’

However, the victory was eventually marred by the fact they were knocked out to Unai Emery’s Villarreal in the subsequent round.

Arsenal 3-1 Tottenham (September 26, 2021)

At the start of this Premier League season, Arsenal lost their first three opening games, including a particularly embarrassing 2-0 defeat to newly-promoted Brentford at the Community Stadium on the opening day.

Arsenal then went on to beat Burnley and Norwich City, but few held hope for a victory over their fiercest rivals Tottenham, who had won three of their opening five games.

But the Gunners tore through Nuno Espirito Santo’s men on home soil, with Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka firing the side into the new season.

The victory was made all the more sweet as it put an end to Spurs’ superb start to the 2021/22 campaign.

And, even more key, with the fans back in the stadium, the derby truly felt like a special moment for the Arteta era.

Chelsea 2-4 Arsenal (April 20, 2022)

Going to Stamford Bridge having lost their last three games, not many would have suspected that Arsenal would have got anything from the game against the reigning European champions.

The 4-2 victory, which has put the side back in contention for a top-four place this season, is all the more significant as it was the purely the club’s academy graduates who helped secure the win.

Eddie Nketiah’s brace and goals from Saka and Smith Rowe handed Arsenal all three points in West London. As a result, they moved level on points with fourth-placed Tottenham in their hunt for Champions League football next campaign.