Mikel Arteta’s road to 100 Prem wins at Arsenal, from battling for top half finishes to challenging for titles
MIKEL ARTETA notched his 100th Premier League win against Tottenham in the North London Derby last weekend – another landmark moment in his short managerial career.
As a result, the Spaniard joins a list of great managers to do so in the Prem, taking 169 games to do so – 10 games less than Arsene Wenger managed the feat with the Gunners.
Coincidentally, both Arteta and Wenger reached the milestone on the same day 23 years apart – the 28th of April. Wenger’s came in a 2-1 victory away at Derby in the 2000/01 term.
Only four top flight managers have managed it quicker – Pep Guardiola [134 games], Jose Mourinho [142], Jurgen Klopp [159] and Sir Alex Ferguson [162].
However, Arteta is the youngest manager to do so at 42 years and 33 days, the closest being David Moyes at 45 years and 190 days.
Arteta has a 59 per cent win percentage in the Prem, losing 42 and drawing 27.
Having taken over on December 20, 2019, Arteta managed nine Prem wins before notching 18 in his first full campaign in charge, followed by 22 in 2021/22, 26 in 22/23 and so far has 25 this term.
Below are a few standout moments on his way to his centurion Prem legacy:
PREM WIN #1 – 2-0 (H) vs Manchester United on January 1, 2020
In his opening two matches as boss, Arteta oversaw a draw at Bournemouth and a defeat to Chelsea before welcoming United to the Emirates.
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Nicolas Pepe and Sokratis Papastathopoulos scored first half goals to seal the three points and kick-off Arteta’s tenure, taking Arsenal up to 10th in the table.
In a season ravaged by COVID-19, Arsenal managed just eight more league wins and finished eighth, ending up 43 points off winners Liverpool and 10 points off the top four.
PREM WIN #10 – 3-0 (A) vs Fulham on September 12, 2020
Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and debutant Gabriel grabbed the goals in an impressive opening day victory of the 2020/21 season.
A bright start of three wins from four was ruined by a run of seven league games without a victory from November 8 to December 19 to mark Arteta’s 12 months in charge.
They dropped as low as 15th during that period.
PREM WIN #25 – 1-0 (A) vs Chelsea on May 12, 2021
An upturn in form from the beginning of the calendar year salvaged Arsenal’s season somewhat, finishing in style with five straight wins.
That spree included this one as Emile Smith Rowe grabbed the only goal of the game at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal ended the season in eighth for the second year on the spin, six points off the top four and 25 points off eventual winners Manchester City.
PREM WIN #50 – 2-0 (A) vs Crystal Palace on August 5, 2022
After agonisingly ending the previous season in fifth, two points off Spurs in the top four and 24 points off winners City, Arsenal start this season with a bang.
The win at Palace saw goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Marc Guehi into his own net late on in the Friday night campaign opener.
This result meant Arteta was the second quickest Arsenal manager to 50 Prem wins after his former boss and mentor Wenger.
PREM WIN #75 – 5-0 (H) vs Wolves on May 28, 2023
An unexpected title charge was met with heartbreak in the last weeks of the season as Arsenal squandered an eight-point lead and lost the title to City by five points.
On a positive note, they finished second for the first time since 2016.
Granit Xhaka scored a double on his last appearance before leaving for Bayer Leverkusen, as well as goals from Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Jakub Kiwior.
PREM WIN #90 – 3-1 (H) vs Liverpool on February 4, 2024
Building on the season before, Arsenal lost once in their opening 15 games before a slump of one win in five over Christmas.
They recovered, and recorded 13 wins from 15 in 2024, including this crucial win over title rivals Liverpool with goals from Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
The win ensured they remained in the hunt for top spot, and ensured Klopp’s last visit to the Emirates as Reds boss ended in defeat.
PREM WIN #100 – 3-2 (A) vs Tottenham on April 28, 2024
Having returned to the Prem summit despite City’s games in hand, Arsenal secured a third win on the bounce after a disappointing week.
A 2-0 loss to Aston Villa, orchestrated by former Arsenal manager Unai Emery was followed by being knocked out of the Champions League quarter finals by Bayern Munich.
At Spurs, they went 3-0 up inside 38 minutes thanks to Saka, Kai Havertz and an own goal from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg before surviving a late fight back in North London.