I've been seeing a lot of fans rewriting Arteta's playing career. Because they didn't want him as manager (understandable) they have been trashing him across the board, including his playing career. Things have veered wildly from reality now. Arteta was, in fact (and you can find the numbers), and excellent midfielder and a model professional. He could always be relied upon to step up in pressure situations. Wenger was the problem - again. Arteta was far more creative than Wenger allowed him to be. His role was tip tap merchant supreme, keeping possession, keeping the ball moving. The sort of stuff we've all come to hate about our style of play. And now we see Xhaka doing the same thing. And we all think he's a shit player too. Not true. He's been Wengerised as well.

Maybe many fans didn't want Arteta here, but it's very unfair to kick him in the teeth for his years of dependable service. And he was far, far, far away from being our worst captain. Plenty of other candidates for that, including guys who showed no loyalty to the club whatsoever.

Good bloke is Arteta. Served the club well. Things haven't worked out for him in terms of the manager's spot, but I don't see how that becomes an open invitation for fans to start crucifying him and talking shit about his career.