Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, is under mounting pressure and could be sacked at the end of the season if he fails to deliver a major trophy.
A 2-1 defeat to AFC Bournemouth on Saturday has intensified the scrutiny, extending Arteta’s wait for silverware since leading the Gunners to FA Cup success against Chelsea in 2020.
Despite finishing second in the Premier League for three straight seasons, Arsenal looked well-placed to finally clinch the title this term, having topped the standings for much of the campaign.
However, the defeat to Bournemouth has reopened the race, with Manchester City able to draw level on points if they win their outstanding matches and beat Arsenal in a decisive encounter next weekend.
Recent performances have added to the concern, with Arsenal losing three of their last four matches in all competitions.
Their only win in that run was a narrow 1-0 victory over Sporting CP in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, following defeats to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final and Southampton in the FA Cup.
Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo claims Arteta’s position is becoming increasingly fragile.
While talks over a contract extension, with his current deal running until 2027, are ongoing, a major decision could be taken if Arsenal fail to win either the league or the UEFA Champions League this season.
“In that case, Arteta would not continue at Arsenal next season”, the report states.
Club owners Stan Kroenke and Josh Kroenke are also said to have identified Cesc Fàbregas as a potential replacement.
The former Arsenal midfielder is currently impressing with Como 1907, guiding the side in an unlikely push for Champions League qualification in Serie A.
Fàbregas’ strong ties to Arsenal, having spent eight years at the club, are seen as a key advantage, similar to Arteta’s own history with the Gunners.
Amid calls from some fans for a managerial change, former Watford striker Troy Deeney dismissed the idea while speaking on CBS Sports, “They’re not going to sack him because he has moved that club astronomically forward from where it was, they’re always in contention now and being spoken about as one of the best teams in world football, and rightly so.
“But this is why Arsenal fans… this is why I love you, and why you love me, because when it’s right and when they’re winning they’re hammering me, now… ‘sack him’?! He’s top of the league, they’re in the Champions League, now it’s, ‘sack him, get rid of him’. Who are you going to bring in?”
