Former Orphan Arsene Wenger Doesn't Start, Mikel Arteta Breaks A 37-Year-Old Arsenal Tradition

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta. (Twitter @Arsenal)

JAKARTA - Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta successfully broke the 37-year tradition in the history of the Gunners. When starting the match against Bournemouth, Arteta did not play a single player who Arsene Wenger had ever managed.

Arteta's surprise occurred in the 26th week of the 2022/2023 Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium, Saturday, March 4. Areta chose not to play his flagship midfielder, Granit Xhaka as the starter of the match.

Quoted from the Mirror on Sunday, March 5, a source said this was the first time Arsenal had not fielded Arsene Wenger's side as coach of The Gunners to start.

The last time this happened was on January 22, 1986 when Arsenal fought Aston Villa in the Premier League Cup.

Even though Xhaka was not a starter, Arteta still played it at the end of the match. With that scheme, Arteta was still able to make Arsenal win 3-2 over Bournemouth.

Although initially Arteta's troops were two goals behind but they were able to show strength as hosts at the end of the match. Arsenal's three goals were scored against Bournemouth with Thomas Partey's execution in the 62nd minute, Ben White in the 70th minute and Reiss Nelson in the 90+7 minute.