Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has suggested that Mikel Arteta’s position could become untenable this season.
Arsenal have one clear objective for the upcoming campaign. The Gunners must find a way to beat Manchester City to the Premier League title, having finished as runners up in each of the last two seasons.
Mikel Arteta’s side are getting closer and closer to their goal. Last time around they were able to take the title race right down to the wire.
Many believe that the North London club will finally achieve their aim on this occasion. Three ESPN pundits have backed Arsenal for the title, for instance.
Arteta will believe that his side have what it takes, and has taken extreme measures to give his squad an edge over their rivals.
Arteta hosted a training camp in Marbella, before the official start of pre-season. The Spanish coach will be hoping that this extra fitness work will help his side hit the ground running.
On top of that, Arteta hired professional thieves to target Arsenal players this summer during a meal time, in a bizarre effort to teach his players a valuable lesson about awareness.
Clearly, the manager is willing to do whatever it takes to give his squad an advantage.
Emmanuel Petit fears disaster for Mikel Arteta at Arsenal
Arsenal will need all of the advantages that they can get. Manchester City are a winning machine, and the Gunners will have to be near-perfect throughout the campaign in order to surpass the reigning champions.
Despite the margin for error being so narrow, there is still pressure on Arteta to deliver this season.
Emmanuel Petit, who won a Premier League title in 1998 whilst playing in the middle of the park for Arsenal, fears that failure to deliver major silverware this season could have catastrophic consequences for Arteta.
Speaking to The Mirror (print edition 11/08/2024, page 77), the Frenchman said: “It’s a huge season for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta. They must win a major trophy. If he doesn’t win something, it will be hard for him to convince the players that he is the man to lead them to glory.
“Without winning silverware, how can you convince the players of your ambition and your ability to capture the Premier League title? How can you convince them to keep going on the Journey if they haven’t won anything?
“If Arsenal go close but don’t win the Premier League again this year… Then the club will need to change things.”
Arteta has safe position at Arsenal no matter title race outcome
Despite Petit’s concerns, it is hard to imagine the Arsenal players losing faith in Arteta, or his job coming under any kind of threat this season, if the Gunners fail to win the title.
After all, the club have previously stood by the former midfielder in far more trying times than these. Edu has explained why Arsenal didn’t sack Arteta during his difficult first full season in charge, and since then the manager has consistently improved the team and their results.
The club will continue to stand by Arteta’ even if this season does not end in the kind of glory that they are hoping for.
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