Mikel Arteta is facing increasing pressure to deliver at Arsenal after many seasons of improvement but a lack of silverware to show for it.
The Gunners have won one trophy under the manager, lifting the FA Cup in 2020 after beating Chelsea in the final at Wembley Stadium.
That said, in the years that have followed, Arsenal have improved to the point of being contenders for the Premier League title.
It’s been a key period for Mikel Arteta, building the team to where they want to be but without getting that final push over the line.
This season has been more about frustration, with the title race wide open but the side unable to take advantage.
Add to that some difficulties in the EFL Cup, where a punishing display from Newcastle has given work to do in the second leg, and pressure seems to be mounting.
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Arsenal fans question Mikel Arteta with sacking claims
Arsenal have it all to do in their domestic cup competitions, following the defeat to Newcastle in the EFL Cup semi-final first leg at the Emirates Stadium.
At the moment, it seems to be the side’s best chance of earning silverware this season, but they will have to overturn a deficit away at St. James’ Park.
It’s an uphill task, not least after a game where the Gunners were unable to show any clinical edge in front of goal.
That has sparked some debate over the future of Mikel Arteta, with fans taking to social media to question his tenure.
“Not Arteta out,” one fan said on X, “But might not be long now. Can’t believe how we have regressed this season, idc if we’re on the same points. We’re not the same team.”
Another fan added: “Arteta out time….how he cant see that we need a proper striker is mind boggling. The guy wasted 65m on Havertz and gave Jesus the number 9…..Arteta is not as good a manager as we all thought. No silverware at the end of the season means he should go”
Other fans were slightly more defiant about a possible sacking, adding: “Better be a good window or I’m Arteta OUT.”
“Pathetic man,” one supporter vented. “Arteta out if we don’t win any trophies this season. This football is not fun to watch if there are no trophies attached, I’m sorry.”
Another fan was left annoyed by a lack of evolution from Arsenal this season, claiming: “Said it after Chelsea away. Arteta’s game model has been figured out. He needed to evolve and hasn’t. These are the results. No saka has exposed his one dimensional coaching badly.”
Patience appears to be running out for Arteta after a few positive seasons that didn’t perhaps have the rewards they deserved.
There may be a few other circumstances that have impacted it though, making for a nuanced conversation over the Arsenal manager’s future.
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Is Mikel Arteta running out of time at Arsenal?
Patience is clearly running out with some fans and Arteta, with it being time for him to deliver the big trophies at Arsenal.
Some may argue he has had chances to prove he can do so, with some big backing in the transfer window to help him as well.
However, others may point out that the team have only built quite as well on his work and that his hands have been tied with injuries this season.
The reality is that the EFL Cup may not be high up on the priority list if the Gunners were closer in the title race.
The fact they aren’t has heightened pressure on finding silverware, with the first domestic cup offering the most immediate chance.
While pressure is mounting, the reality is that Arteta is unlikely to leave while the side are still in the Champions League and other competitions.
Reassessing that at the end of the season may be wiser, but chances are that he will be given some time to turn it around, as he has earned in all his seasons at the club.
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