It was just two weeks ago that Arsenal sat bottom of the Premier League table, without a point and without a goal. To add to their suffering, north London rivals Tottenham had stormed into first place, having won all three of their opening encounters.

Two hard-fought wins have stopped the slide somewhat, while Sunday’s North London derby at the Emirates stadium astonishingly offers the Gunners the chance to draw level on points with Spurs, who have suffered back to back 3-0 defeats.

No man will have been more relieved to see the Gunners begin to pick up points than Mikel Arteta, who was seemingly staring down the barrel should he not have come away from ties with Norwich and Burnley with at least something. Six points from a possible fifteen is far from an ideal start, but it is certainly an improvement on two weeks ago.

Mertesacker pleads for patience

One man who has clearly had a strong influence behind the scenes for the Gunners is former player Per Mertesacker, who has gone on to become head of youth development at Arsenal’s academy. Judging by the most recent result, it is safe to say he is doing something right.

Now, speaking to The Beautiful Game Podcast, Mertesacker has offered his assessment of what is happening within the club. Speaking on the transitional period, the German, who made 221 appearances for the club, said:

“Massive transition, that’s what I would class it as. I think it was clear when Arsene (Wenger) left the void that needed to be filled wouldn’t get sorted in a couple of seasons, or 3-4 years.

You always want the shortcut, you know, bang (clicks fingers) straight back into the Champions League, straight back into being successful. I think even myself, realising and working now with the academy, going more long term developmental, I think we see kind of similar-ish traits in the first team, and I hope that Mikel gets the time that he needs.”

He then pleaded for patience from the Arsenal fanbase, continuing:

“I want to be successful tomorrow, I want to go back in the Champions League tomorrow, I want to speak to people and say “listen, we have got the best club in the world who challenges for titles every single year”. That’s not the reality. I think the earlier we get on the train of “we are in a big big transition still” [the better].”

Crucially, he revealed that he believes Mikel Arteta remains the right man for the job, despite the bad results:

“To have sustainable success there needs to be some trust. I’m all for trusting people in people. If Mikel Arteta, and I perceive him to be the right person, lets give him the trust and the development squad that he can take to the next level that will achieve Champions League football, maybe in 2-3 years .

From a club person, thats my take basically at the moment, because I’ve worked with Mikel very very closely”

“I know how much he wants it, I  know his work ethic, I know how intense the squad works at the moment to get to a better level. I think we all have to swallow disappointment at the moment, which I’m keen to change, but the environments that we are going to deliver in the next years will be key for our success.

“The stakes are very very high, and I understand that there is a lot of criticism, but some people need to swallow that and try and grow with it, and Mikel is someone that does that.”

With significant support from inside the club, and the Spaniard seemingly going nowhere, is it time Arsenal fans united behind their manager?