'He was getting the sack last year' - Peter Crouch tips Arsenal mastermind Mikel Arteta for manager of the season
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Updated 15/04/2023 at 11:04 GMT
Peter Crouch has backed Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to be crowned Premier League manager of the season after overseeing a transformation at the club over the last year. Arteta has gone from the risk of the sack to leading the Gunners to the brink of their first title in 19 years. Eddie Howe of Newcastle also deserves to be in the running, according to former Magpies goalkeeper Shay Given.
Arteta reflects on 'dropped points' against Liverpool
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta deserves to be crowned Premier League manager of the season, says Peter Crouch, after going from the risk of the sack to the brink of the title over the last year.
Arteta came under pressure during the 2021/22 campaign as his Gunners side collapsed to finish fifth, failing to secure Champions League football.
But the Spaniard has seen a remarkable turnaround this term, with Arsenal currently heading for their first Premier League crown in 19 years, sitting six points clear on top of the table.
Former England striker Crouch discussed the contenders for manager of the season, considering the efforts of Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi, Aston Villa’s Unai Emery and Eddie Howe of Newcastle, before landing on Arteta as the favourite.
“I know there has been a massive turnaround in Aston Villa and Newcastle’s fortunes, but he (Arteta) was getting the sack last year. People were calling for the sack – lots of people,” Crouch said on BT Sport.
“The fact he’s turned that around to challenge a powerhouse like Manchester City, it’s been an incredible season for them.”
Defending champions Manchester City are Arsenal’s only rivals for the league crown, with Pep Guardiola’s in-form side sitting six points back but with a game in hand.
Liverpool have been City’s main title rivals in recent years but have struggled this season, sitting down in eighth.
“I think for Arteta to challenge and be top of the league for so long, considering how Liverpool and Manchester City were last season… if you said at the start of the season that they would be in the mix with however many games to go now, you would have given (the award) to him then,” Crouch said.
“I think Eddie Howe, De Zerbi and Emery have done terrific jobs, but what he’s done at Arsenal has been fantastic.”
Former Newcastle United and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given believes praise should be attributed to the entire Gunners management structure.
“I think you’ve got to give credit to the hierarchy at Arsenal as well,” Given said.
“A year ago (Arteta) was under pressure – 'Is he the right manager, he’s young, inexperienced, is he the person to lead us forward?' – and you look at the number of managers who have been sacked in the Premier League this season, it’s the highest it’s ever been.
“But a year or so ago they stuck with him, said ‘he’s our man’. They’ve recruited really well bringing in (Oleksandr) Zinchenko and (Gabriel) Jesus from Man City.
“They were two big players as they’ve been there before and won the league. I’m sure week in week out, especially Zinchenko, they are very vocal in the changing room. They’ve got the right blend there I think.”
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LEICESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United applauds fans following their side's victory in the Premier League match between Leicester City and Newcastle United at The King Power Stadium on December 26, 2022 in Leicester, Eng
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Given’s former club Newcastle, who he made 354 appearances for between 1997 and 2009, have also enjoyed a superb campaign under Howe.
The Magpies are up in third place with nine games to go, putting them on course for their first Champions League campaign since 2002/03.
“It’s exciting times. As a Newcastle player for 12 years, when they mention the last time they played in the Champions League, I actually played in those games. It’s too long a time,” Given said.
“(Howe) has to be up there as one of the managers of the year, because this year they probably would’ve thought mid-table. Last year he took over a team in a relegation dogfight and now they are challenging for Champions League football.”
Arsenal face West Ham away on Sunday, while City are at home to Leicester City on Saturday.
Newcastle face a tricky trip to sixth-placed Aston Villa in the lunchtime kick-off on Saturday.
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