Mikel Arteta has renewed his contract with Arsenal with four games remaining in the season.
It was announced after the 2-1 win over West Ham United confirmed that the club are guaranteed to be playing at least Europa League football next season.
Despite the positive reaction on the whole to the news, it did not prevent some backlash to the decision.
The Arsenal manager has faced opposition throughout his time as coach after back-to-back eighth-place finishes planted doubt into the minds of some supporters.
A trend across the tenure has been the hyperbolic negative takes on Mikel Arteta.
A coach who has the potential to elevate the club back into the Champions League for the first time since Arsene Wenger failed to qualify in 2017.
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During the morning stream of The Arsenal Way show, one supporter was very frustrated with the news, going as far as to say they would be stopping watching the Gunners.
Typing into the live chat box mogambo wrote: ‘I’m done watching arsenal.
There were other comments to highlight doubt about Arteta’s ability.
AFSAR GUNNER posted: ‘I am NOT convinced at all on Arteta and think we needed a top elite manager.
Others took a more balanced approached, citing the stabilising influence has had on the club.
Amar paracha commented: ‘I just have my reservations on if he is the right man to take us to the next level, he has been a huge help in getting Arsenal stable again but still it’s a bumpy road ahead.‘.
The Arsenal official account posted the announcement and again, amongst the mainly positive reaction, there were still doubts creeping through.
An issue some Arsenal supporters have held with Arteta has been his lack of credentials.
‘ Some were so angry that even historical facts had abandoned them.
LayconPR wrote: ‘The club is planning to go trophyless for another 4 years.
‘ Awkward, considering Arteta’s last trophy win was less than two years ago.
Arsenal have overachieved this season in the context of the squad and expectations at the season’s start.
With the youngest team in the league, thanks to a much-needed overhaul of the group in the summer, the Gunners are not only involved in a Champions League qualification race but leading it.
Getting back into Europe had to be accomplished and that has happened with still four games remaining.
Arsenal’s team is in a far healthier place than it has been in recent years.
The recruitment decision-making on players demonstrates good talent identification to solve problems in the squad. High earners who offered little have been moved on.
Players such as Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith-Rowe, Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Granit Xhaka, Martin Odegaard and others are improving under Arteta and the club is benefiting from it.
The connection between the majority of the fanbase and the club and players is at its strongest for a long time.
Arsenal are moving in the right direction, without the help of many first-team players in this end of season run-in, it should be said.
This contract was inevitable and you know why? Because it is deserved.