ONE of the first things Mikel Arteta did when he was appointed Arsenal manager was to put up a sign in the dressing room.
It bore the simple phrase “we, not me” and became a constant reminder of the togetherness Arteta wanted to create at the Gunners.
Tomorrow marks six years since Arteta walked back through the doors at the North London club.
And the sign — just like his beloved Gunners — has evolved.
It read “we + me” last season, but now proclaims “we x me” with Arteta explaining his very individual brand of psychology at a commercial event in London on the eve of this season.
He said: “If the ‘me’ multiples, the ‘we’ is going to be huge.
“But if you have one ‘me’ that gives you zero, the equation gives zero. That’s the problem.
“So you have to be so good at promoting, identifying and making people accountable.
“And be very alert when there is one that can give you zero. He cannot be there for long, because you are going to pay a price.”
Arteta’s equation sums up his time at Arsenal and the transformation that has taken place with him at the helm. The Gunners have assembled a deep squad — spending close to £1billion.
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They have splashed out on the likes of £105million Declan Rice, £30m Martin Odegaard and £60m Eberechi Eze.
And everyone is pulling in the same direction to end their trophy drought, which runs into a sixth year this season.
That was not the case at the start — and Arteta completely gutted the dressing room to the extent some players had their contracts ripped up.
Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were among the most high-profile casualties during the ruthless cull.
Arteta set the tone at the Emirates even before his very first training session near Christmas 2019.
Sat in the stands at Everton, coincidentally Arsenal’s opponents on Merseyside tomorrow, the Spaniard watched the 0-0 draw before heading to the dressing room.
The squad were told the hard work started now and they would be training on Christmas Day.
Arteta is a workaholic and that mindset has been at the heart of his Arsenal rebuild over the last six years.
He likes to get to the training ground for around 7am, skipping breakfast and instead opting for a black coffee.
The other coaches do not arrive until 90 minutes after that, which gives Arteta time on his own to think and plan the day ahead.
Arteta usually holds a meeting with the coaches around 8.30am at a large table outside his office, which he had moved four years ago to be closer to the analysts and other staff members.
The Arsenal boss is on the go all day, with the only moment of rest coming in the afternoon. That is when he likes to meditate for 30 minutes.
Arteta was famed in the early part of his reign for being strict and having ‘non-negotiables’, such as everyone being on time.
The Spaniard would argue it was necessary at a point when the culture at Arsenal needed to be reset.
But there is also a lighter side to him. One of his early ideas was having themed lunches based on the different countries players in the squad are from.
Fines for lateness during his first season in charge had a fun twist to them and were decided by a wheel of fortune. Players could gamble on being late as one spot on the wheel was a ‘free pass’ — but it rarely paid off.
Arsenal’s gamble on Arteta looks like it will, though.
In the stands close to him at Goodison Park six years ago was Carlo Ancelotti, who was named Everton boss the day after Arteta took charge at the Emirates.
Arsenal had looked at Ancelotti when Arsene Wenger stepped down and he was an obvious candidate to replace Unai Emery.
The Gunners hierarchy, however, put all their chips on Arteta after getting cold feet on him 18 months before.
Former Arsenal skipper Arteta won them over the second time around with a pitch that involved a five-phase plan to take the club back to the top.
Arteta is famously guarded about what phase Arsenal are in now, but it feels like the moment when the club’s gamble will pay out.
A large reason for that is down to the squad that has been built.
Few can rival their depth and even a crippling injury crisis has not stopped them climbing to the top of the Champions League table and the Premier League.
The level of talent is greater than it has ever been during Arteta’s six years and it was a point captain Odegaard made to team-mates when they gathered for this season’s squad photo.
They believe the culture is in place for that talent to thrive — and Arteta knows now is the time to deliver.
The Gunners have finished second in the Prem in each of the past three seasons. They also lost three semi-finals.
It is why Liverpool fans took such joy in mocking up a banner last season that had Arteta dressed as a bridesmaid.
But Arteta and Arsenal is a happy marriage, although he will not want to spend his next anniversary trophyless.
The Gunners unexpectedly won the FA Cup during Arteta’s first season in charge, but equally surprising has been their lack of silverware since then.
There are a few reasons for that. One of which is Pep Guardiola, Manchester City and the seemingly unstoppable Erling Haaland.
But after six years, it now seems like Arsenal have got everything they need to finally get over the line.
Arteta will just be hoping the maths is right — and it all adds up to him ending this season with a trophy in his hands.
