Mikel Arteta, manager of the Premier League-leading Arsenal side, has spoken up in support of his counterpart at Chelsea, Graham Potter. Arteta understands the pressure that Potter is under, having experienced similar online abuse and calls for him to be dismissed last season. However, Arteta warned Potter that the patience of his owners won’t last forever.
Mikel Arteta empathised with Graham Potter’s position, knowing that he himself was close to being dismissed when Arsenal were at the bottom of the table last season. He urged Potter to not let such a situation ruin his life. At the same time, he cautioned Potter that Chelsea’s billionaire owner Todd Boehly can only tolerate poor performance on the pitch for so long. Arteta recalled his own experience where he knew that he had to win against Norwich and Burnley to turn his fortunes around.
Potter noted the forbearance that Arsenal had shown towards Arteta after they lost their initial three Premier League matches last year. The Chelsea manager, who has only two victories in fifteen matches, also disclosed that he and his family have been the target of vile insults, with some wishing for his demise. Arteta, who is set to take on Everton on Wednesday, said that the job is strenuous, but emphasised the need to not let it ruin one’s life.
