Arteta repeats Wenger feat with Manager of the Month award

Mikel Arteta was named the Premier League’s Manager of the Month for March, earning his second award of the season.

The Arsenal manager’s win was announced on Friday, making him the first Gunners boss to be recognised twice in the same campaign since Arsene Wenger in 2007-08.

Arteta – the Manager of the Month in September after three wins from three games – was rewarded for his side taking nine points from four matches.

Four other teams matched Arsenal’s March points haul, including Chelsea and Liverpool – both of whom had 100 per cent records.

But Arteta was chosen ahead of either Thomas Tuchel, who dragged Chelsea through a tumultuous month off the field, or Jurgen Klopp, whose Liverpool team handed Arsenal their only defeat.

Shaping the team in his image

Mikel Arteta’s fine work at @Arsenal earns him @BarclaysFooty‘s Manager of the Month award for March#PLAwards | @m8arteta pic.twitter.com/FZub2YZoAA

— Premier League (@premierleague) April 1, 2022

Crucially, Arsenal climbed from sixth at the start of March to fourth entering April, leapfrogging West Ham and Manchester United.

Heading into this weekend, Tottenham are now Arsenal’s closest top-four rivals in fifth, three points back having played a game more.

Arsenal’s next match is at Crystal Palace on Monday, when they will be looking for a sixth consecutive away league win.

The Gunners’ existing run of five is their longest since September 2013 (eight) and longest in a single season since May 2002 (also eight).