Potter puzzle: Arteta shows virtues of patience but how long do Chelsea wait?

Mikel Arteta is the new Sir Alex Ferguson. In previous eras Ferguson’s early struggles at Manchester United would be cited when people called for a club not to sack a struggling manager. But the argument has moved on. These days it feels more relevant to point to Arsenal’s backing of Arteta, who did not look like a revolutionary figure when at risk of losing his job in December 2020.

It is a reminder that there are rarely certainties in football. We can praise Arsenal, who are closing in on a first Premier League title since 2004, for having the courage to stick by their man. But we can also acknowledge that there would have been little uproar if they had lost their nerve with Arteta and, much as Chelsea are trying to give Graham Potter time to grow into his role, there comes a point when clubs must accept the glorious future they are waiting for is taking too long to arrive.

That is the awkward decision facing Chelsea before they host Leeds on Saturday and attempt to salvage their Champions League tie against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday. Results are atrocious at the moment and there is an increased sense a change may be necessary if both games are lost. If Chelsea continue to back Potter, will their patience be rewarded? Is this a repeat of David Moyes at United? Or is Potter, who has always improved teams over time, an Arteta in waiting?

Chelsea’s owners, Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, want to find out. They admire how Arsenal treated Arteta and it is easy to see where Potter was coming from after his side’s 2-0 defeat to Tottenham last Sunday. The argument made sense at first glance. Potter drew parallels with Amazon’s All or Nothing documentary on Arsenal, pointing out that everyone thought Arteta was a