Potter Looks To Guardiola and Arteta For Inspiration Amid Criticism Of Chelsea Form
Beleaguered Chelsea manager Graham Potter is looking to draw inspiration from Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta, who had difficult starts in charge of Manchester City and Arsenal respectively.
Potter has come under serious pressure at Stamford Bridge following a poor run of form by Chelsea.
The Blues are out of both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup and find themselves 10th on the Premier League table, 10 points off the Champions League spots.
Their last outing was a chastening 4-0 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup at the Etihad Stadium, where Chelsea fans were heard chanting for the return of Thomas Tuchel, whom Potter replaced in September.
Arsenal currently enjoy a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table after a difficult start to life for Arteta at the Emirates Stadium.
For all of Guardiola's successes at Manchester City, life was not always rosy at the beginning for the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss.
"You have to understand [the criticism] is part of the job," Potter said ahead of Thursday's game against Fulham.
"You only have to look at some of my colleagues in a similar position.
"Pep, for example, in his first season, was being criticised quite heavily. I think Mikel Arteta has had a period of criticism. Klopp, in the first few years, would have had criticism as well. These guys are fantastic.
"You understand football is emotional. When you lose, you feel it; you feel the pain; you feel the suffering; you feel the discomfort.
"Sometimes it's hard to understand the 'why', and it's easier just to blame somebody. I'm sitting here saying it's not like I've been absolutely perfect, so they're not completely wrong, but I think it's always very complex.
"You just try to put it into perspective. You try to remember you're capable; you try to remember how you got here.
"Two months ago, I was considered to be a top coach. If you consider the people I've played against and played with, they'd probably say the same.
"But at the same time, I acknowledge the results we've had haven't been good enough for us. You have to accept and deal with it as best you can. Try to put it in perspective and keep moving forward."
