‘Arteta time’ is born: “When they see the poster, they say… here we go”
Ferguson gave rise to the birth of ‘Fergie Time’. Manchester United, with Sir Alex on the bench, starred in countless epic victories in added time. It is true that the Scottish manager’s continued protests about the time-wasting of the teams visiting Old Trafford led to larger discounts than usual. “Until United scores,” rival teams used to complain when they saw the fourth referee’s sign showing extra time.
The ‘Fergie Time’ has given way to the ‘Arteta Time’. Arsenal have become specialists in comebacks at the horn. Last season it was, without going any further, the second Premier team that rescued the most points (16) after losing. A good example of the winning mentality that the Spanish coach has imprinted on the Gunners since his arrival in 2019. In the memory, however, the comebacks ‘in extremis’ against Fulham [from 0-1 to 2-1 with a goal from Gabriel Magalhaes in the 86th minute], Aston Villa [from 2-1 to 2-4 with goals from Emiliano Martínez (pp) in the 93rd minute and Martinelli in the 98th minute], Manchester United [from 0-1 to 3-2 with a goal from Nketiah in the 90th minute] and, above all, Bournemouth [from 0-2 to 3-2 with a goal from Nelson in the 97th minute].
A story that, at the beginning of the season, has been repeated, again, with Manchester United (3-1) as the victim. Rashford put the Red Devils ahead, like last season, but Martin Odegaard only needed one minute and 40 seconds to tie the game.
The ecstasy came in added time, when City were already ‘rubbing their hands’ at seeing two direct rivals in the fight for the League move away in the table. Declan Rice’s 2-1, in ’96!, shook the foundations of the Emirates. It is impossible to make a better debut as a scorer with the Gunners. Gabriel Jesus, with United desperate, scored the final 3-1 in the 101st minute.
Not even Mikel Arteta, after the game, seemed to give credit to a new comeback that allowed Arsenal to ‘lie down’ fifth, just two points behind City. “The emotion we experienced at the end of the game is the reason why we are in the world of football. We worked hard to have the opportunity to live these moments. I am extremely proud of this team,” he acknowledged to ‘MOTD’.
The emotion we experience at the end of the game is the reason why we are in the world of footballThe Spanish coach placed special emphasis on the Gunner’s resilience: “I love the mentality and determination that this team shows. The first goal made our lives difficult… but we tied quickly. That is the reaction we are looking for.”
What’s more, in England, people are already starting to talk about ‘Arteta Time’. “Before, we used to talk about ‘Fergie time’. Maybe it’s time for us to talk about ‘Arteta time’ because the same thing happened as last season. Every time the sign goes up it’s as if they said: ‘Here we go,’ says Nedum Onuoha, former Manchester City player. It is the ‘Emirate’ of comebacks.