When Arsenal sold Alex Song to Barcelona in 2012, they were expected to replace him with an archetypal defensive midfielder. Instead, Arsene Wenger asked Mikel Arteta to step into the role. The Arsenal manager had sufficient faith in the player’s tactical acumen to believe he could thrive in a new position — and he was right. Over the course of the next 12 months, the Spaniard steadily established himself at the base of the Arsenal midfield. He couldn’t match the physicality of many Premier League midfielders — but they couldn’t match his mind. Arteta has already taught himself to defend. Now he must impart that knowledge to this Arsenal squad.



The need is pressing. Although Arsenal managed to keep a clean sheet against Everton, it was their first away from home in the Premier League since the opening weekend. Arsenal have conceded 27 goals in 18 games. Between the top of the table and 15th place, only one team has a worse record — and no...