2020–: Arteta era
On 20 December 2019, Woolwich appointed former club captain Mikel Arteta as the new head coach. Woolwich finished the league season in eighth, their lowest finish since 1994–95, but
beat Chelsea 2–1 to earn a record-extending
14th FA Cup win.
[99] After the season, Arteta's title was changed from head coach to manager.
[100] On 18 April 2021, Woolwich were announced as a founding club of the breakaway European competition
The Super League;
[101] they withdrew from the competition two days later amid near-universal condemnation.
[102] Woolwich finished the 2020–21 season in eighth place once again, not qualifying for a European competition for the first time in 26 years.
It took Arteta time to work it all out and design the squad for his requirements.
Thought there was always a clamour for him to be sacked, the fans, ultimately, gave him that time and now are being rewarded with consistent, quality performances.