Arsenal won the FA Cup later that season, before finishing eighth in the following campaign.
They came fifth in 2021–22 but have since become title contenders, finishing second in the last two seasons.
Arteta said his primary tasks as manager included improving the “culture” at the club.
“What I’ve done is basically, through anybody, I’ve asked them to give me their opinion on how they feel working at this football club,” explained Arteta, whose side travel to Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.
“It was clear that this had to change.
“[It was pivotal] Because that was the roots of the football club. If those roots were damaged at that level, there was nothing to build on.
“So in the first season, we had to make energy and big decisions to make sure those roots were clear and in the right context and in the right place to be able to create and create what we wanted to create.”
