Trust the process
"Trust the process." A phrase that has become synonymous with Mikel Arteta’s reign as Arsenal manager. Initially a rallying cry to everyone involved with the club to stick together and believe in his methods, it evolved over time into a punchline for critics who felt he hadn't won enough.
Now, after delivering Arsenal's first Premier League in 22 years, he will feel vindicated. The process delivered. It was a long and hard one, but a necessary one. Because in order to win, Arteta had to rebuild an entire institution that for many years had lived in the shadow of its own history.
When he walked through the door as manager, his first step was to redefine the culture at the club. He raised the standards and defined a set of non-negotiables - respect, commitment and passion - that everyone had to adhere to. He rebuilt the squad over the years, recruited well and got rid of players who weren't good enough or didn't care enough.
He rebuilt what had been a fractured relationship between the players and supporters. I was fortunate to have been in the stadium when Arsenal beat Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final a few weeks back. I have never experienced such a strong connection between the players and the fans as that night.
On the pitch, the progress was undoubtedly there. Each year, Arsenal finished at least as well or better in the league than the season before. Arteta also got Arsenal back into the Champions League after a 7 year absence in 2023, and in his first season got them to the quarters, then the semis, and now the final.
Continuous progress, but no big trophies to show for it. Second in the league three times in a row. The critics grew louder. Others would have buckled under that pressure. I’m sure Arteta had his doubts, as anyone would, but he remained resilient.
He focused on what he could control, the process, knowing that outcomes are a combination of process and luck. And luck is something you cannot directly control. Through a good process he would get the team as close to the ultimate prize as possible.
And this year he finally did. Premier League champions with a Champions League final to follow in a few days. This season is already unforgettable, and if Arteta manages to win Arsenal's first ever Champions League it will arguably go down as the best in the club's history.
In a world that often expects quick outcomes, Arteta is a reminder that the biggest victories, the sweetest ones, take time. And they are hard earned. Through the right process and the conviction to see it through.