Mikel Arteta is already having a positive influence on Arsenal and the 2-0 defeat of Manchester United on New Year’s Day was proof of his instant impact.
This is according to Gunners legend Lee Dixon, who believes both players and fans are responding to Arteta less than a fortnight after his appointment as Unai Emery’s successor.
While it has been a mixed bag for Arsenal results wise since Arteta’s appointment – with one win, one draw and one defeat – the performances have come in for praise.
Arteta secured his first win as Arsenal manager – beating Man United 2-0
There are still areas to be worked on, but for 45 minutes against Chelsea and about an hour in the defeat of Man United, Arsenal looked like a top-class side who would be a match for anyone.
Whether this is simply the famed ‘new manager bounce’ or Arteta having a real long-term impact on Arsenal remains to be seen, but the early signs are positive.
And Dixon feels there is something different about the Gunners with Arteta in charge – and this positivity and belief has infected all at the Emirates.
“I dont want to go overboard on his progress three games in, but there are definitely signs,” Dixon told Thursday’s Sports Breakfast.
The Emirates hasnt been like that in many years – it almost sent goose bumps down my spine.
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There was a warning for Arsenal, however.
Dixon added: It was probably one of the worst United performances Ive seen for a very long time, so lets not get carried away about who we were playing. They were terrible last night!
Beating Man United did little for Arsenal’s Premier League prospects as they remain 10th in the table with odds continuing to back them to finish outside the top six.
Given the tight nature of the league, however, a couple of good results strung together could put the Gunners back in with a shot of ending up in the top four.
This should not be Arteta’s aim though, Dixon believes, with the ‘long-term project’ in north London all about making Arsenal one of the top TWO teams in all of English football!
The festive feast of football continues over the next week – find out what is LIVE across the talkSPORT network, below…

Liverpool vs Sheffield United (Thursday, 8pm) – talkSPORT
Derby vs Barnsley (Thursday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT 2
Rochdale vs Necastle (Saturday, 12:31pm) – talkSPORT
Wolves vs Manchester United (Saturday, 5:31pm) – talkSPORT
Middlesbrough vs Tottenham (Sunday, 2:01pm) – talkSPORT
Liverpool vs Everton (Sunday, 4:01pm) – talkSPORT
Gillingham vs West Ham (Sunday, 6:16pm) – talkSPORT

Hes not going to go in and get in the top four in the first six months – that is not going to happen,” Dixon continued. “It is a long-term project; there is no doubt about that.
But, ultimately, any coach that comes in, they will all tell you its all about players; the game has always been about players and it will always be about players, because they are the ones who put the plans into action.
So is the squad good enough? You would look at it after last night and say yes.
But moving forward forget top four and top six, this team – my Arsenal Football Club – has to be challenging for one and two; be second pushing for first. That is the level they need to get back to, but it is a massive mountain to climb from where we are right now.