Since it became evident that Arsenal was a genuine title contender, discussions surrounding team management have intensified, particularly with many of England’s top clubs changing managers. Mikel Arteta is seen as a crucial element for the club’s strategy, providing vision and bolstering the squad to effectively challenge Manchester City and Liverpool, who currently don’t face similar managerial upheavals.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has pointed to Arteta’s transformative approach when advocating patience for Manchester United’s Ruben Amorim, a sentiment he feels has been validated lately.
However, it’s Tottenham’s new CEO, not just United’s minority owner, who truly understands the significance of supporting Arteta-like leadership. Vinay Venkatesham has been a significant proponent of the Spaniard since Arsene Wenger left in 2018—only a year after Arteta became Guardiola’s assistant. He recognizes how crucial the right managerial choice is for the transformation of a club.
Did he make a different choice when he recruited Thomas Frank from Brentford just months before Daniel Levy’s surprise exit bolstered his influence? From a tactical standpoint, there are indications that Spurs’ current manager is implementing strategies reminiscent of Arteta’s play style.
One glaring issue remains: Tottenham must tighten their defense. They exhibited better organization without the ball, even more so than during Unai Emery’s tenure at Arsenal. Battling injuries in a season where they conceded 68 goals over 22 matches, by the end of Ange Postecoglou’s two years, inconsistencies seemed just as structural as they were problematic. If Spurs persist with their aggressive attacking backs and require players like Mickey van de Ven and Cristian Romero to push their physical limits defensively, another challenging season awaits.
Similar to other Basque coaches like Arteta and Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso, Frank is focused on reinforcing the foundation of the team before adding more flair. He emphasized the solid groundwork in a recent match, seeking patience as the team’s offensive strategy gradually develops.
Defensively, improvements are evident. Spurs are allowing less than one goal per game, following less-than-ideal outings against Chelsea and Manchester United, where they only managed one point. They’ve curtailed shot frequency by approximately 15%, reflecting a close alignment with their expected goals metrics. Currently sitting 16th in the league for expected non-penalty goals (npxG), they are on track for a considerable increase in defensive performance compared to last year’s relegation-level stats.
Like Arteta, who maintained an unbeaten record on the road following his appointment until the pandemic halted play, Frank has crafted a resilient away team. Scoring 12 away goals from under 6 xG suggests sustainability issues, but hope remains as they strive to replicate this performance at the Emirates Stadium, where success has eluded them since 2010.
Moreover, both Frank and Arteta share a journey that extends beyond mere defensive solidification, navigating peculiar early phases. Both have necessitated some offensive restraint to introduce sturdiness, yet this is particularly critical for a squad that’s missing key players like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil. While Tottenham’s 19 goals in the Premier League have been ineffectively produced from a modest npxG, their overall shots taken indicate a severe dip compared to Arsenal. Players like Van de Ven and João Parinha are not generating sufficient chances, often resulting in a reliance on individual brilliance from their attacking midfielder, Mohamed Kudus.
The lowest point for their offense came in a defeat to Chelsea, where they registered a mere 0.12 xG. All three shots fell to Kudus, evoking a surreal atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium akin to matches void of fan presence. This led to questions about Arteta’s ability to orchestrate a functional attack—similar doubts now loom over Frank.
Despite having more coaching experience, Frank has yet to demonstrate the ability to develop a robust attacking style over time. When Brentford was promoted, they averaged 1.1 xG per game, with his last two years seeing that figure rise to around 1.5—all accomplished with limited financial investment while maintaining high offensive efficiency. It’s arguable that Spurs should afford Frank similar time, given their aspirations to compete financially with the top clubs.
Nonetheless, three significant hurdles make Frank’s rejuvenation task more challenging than Arteta’s when he arrived at Arsenal in late 2019. Notably, he lacks deep familiarity with the club’s historical challenges. While it’s been almost four years since the departure of the former club captain, questions arise about how much has evolved since then, compounded by Arteta’s insights into the club’s core issues.
Frank does not have the same understanding, nor does he possess a transformative player akin to Bukayo Saka or William Saliba at Arsenal. While Tottenham has talented players, their lineup is aging compared to their rivals like Chelsea. Over time, it will become evident whether Lukas Bergvall, Matthijs Tell, and Xavi Simons can rise to championship-caliber players, but early signs suggest otherwise.
More critically, Arteta had the luxury of time and tranquility that few elite managers will encounter in the current Premier League landscape. The pandemic offered Arsenal a unique opportunity to address issues without intense pressure for immediate results. Throughout the peak of fan dissatisfaction in late 2020, club officials could dismiss managerial concerns as mere background noise. For decision-makers at top clubs, fan sentiment plays a pivotal role, and when it sours, managerial changes often follow quickly. While empty seats at the Emirates were tolerable for Unai Emery, a year later, a similar silence became the new reality.
It’s challenging to maintain fan respect when performances turn sour. Though Ange Postecoglou has effectively quelled discontent, Frank needs to be bolder in his decisions to foster a more substantial connection with supporters. While calculated strategies may yield positive outcomes, the growing frustration from fans, especially after defeats like Chelsea’s, is unsustainable. Despite being third in the league at the final whistle, doubts about Frank’s future grew, raising comparisons to Nuno Espirito Santo. Though early indications show a solid foundation for this team, they still face significant challenges ahead.
Matches like the one on Sunday hold immense importance for Frank’s future. These are vital opportunities to rally support from fans, akin to how Arsenal’s first win in the North London derby post-pandemic positively influenced Arteta’s plans. If Tottenham can achieve something similar this weekend, it might offer hope that Frank’s rebuilding efforts are on the right path.
Match Details
- Date: November 23rd (Sunday) | Time: 11:30 a.m. EST
- Location: Emirates Stadium — London
- Live Stream: Peacock
Projected Lineups
Arsenal XI: David Raya; Julian Timber, William Saliba, Piero Hincapie, Riccardo Calafioli; Martin Zvimendi, Declan Rice; Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Leandro Trossard; Mikel Merino
Tottenham XI: Guglielmo Vicario; Pedro Polo, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogui; Rodrigo Bentancur, João Parinha, Pape Matar Sarr; Mohamed Kudus, Richarlison, Wilson Odbert
Fan Take: This story highlights the critical balance managers must strike in today’s high-stakes environment, underscoring the pressure they face to quickly deliver results. For soccer fans, the outcome of these managerial decisions could reshape the dynamics of top clubs and influence the title race for years to come.
