Arsenal tipped to land new manager who is actually friends with Mikel Arteta

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Are Arsenal inclined to replace Mikel Arteta in the near future? One former England international seems to think so.

The 2024/25 campaign hasn’t gone to plan for Arsenal thus far but, sitting second in the Premier League table and comfortable in the Champions League, things could be worse.

What’s frustrating isn’t so much where the Gunners are, but what could’ve been, as there was a clear failure to prepare for the season before a ball was even kicked.

Arteta has been let down by the Kroenkes on the transfer front which has hindered the trajectory of the season, in what could end as another campaign without silverware. 

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Andoni Iraola tipped to replace Mikel Arteta at Arsenal 

The surprise success that Arsenal found in the 2022/23 season has undoubtedly raised the bar at the Emirates, with the Gunners on course for a third consecutive second-place finish.

Considering that the North Londoners finished only two points shy of the summit last term, there was great expectation going into this year but, Arsenal’s injury list has been extensive throughout the calendar. 

While the errors are there for all to see, whether it be recruitment failures or injuries, some believe that Arteta is partly responsible. 

Pressure has been put on Arteta to win trophies with the current Arsenal squad, leading to some considering whether the boss could be dismissed.

Such claims are perplexing, to say the least but, talk on the matter is not disappearing, with a former England international giving his verdict.

Speaking on BBC 5 Live Breakfast, ex-Premier League forward Jay Bothroyd mentioned the Arsenal manager when praising Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola. 

“If Andoni Iraola carries on like this and gets Bournemouth into European competition then it could be a sad situation,” he said.

“If the likes of Tottenham got rid of Ange Postecoglou they might be interested in him, and I don’t even think it is too big to say the likes of Arsenal might be too. If Mikel Arteta doesn’t get trophies then someone like Iraola could be on Arsenal’s hit list.

“The job he has done at Bournemouth with the players he has, no disrespect to them, is incredible.”

While comparing Arsenal’s managerial situation to Tottenham, who sit 20 points and 11 positions under the Gunners, is baffling, Arteta himself wouldn’t be against such high praise for Iraola.

The Arsenal boss opened up about his friendship with the fellow Basque coach, a relationship that stems back to their youth.

Speaking to Arsenal’s official website, Arteta insisted that he’s ‘really happy’ for Iraola and the success he’s found at Bournemouth but, could he really one day replace him at the Emirates? 

Arsenal shouldn’t think about replacing Mikel Arteta

For a coach with a squad with limited resources who are in the last 16 of the Champions League and sitting second in the Premier League, Arteta isn’t doing badly at all.

The manager himself said something similar in his pre-match press conference ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Nottingham Forest, calling for praise for the achievements this term. 

“I think we have made big strides this season – big time, because we should be in a very different position with everything that has happened.

“There’s no team in Premier League history with five red cards and the amount of injuries we’ve had that were in the position that we are in today. [It] hasn’t been done.

“One of the most proud [I have been], because this could have gone… and there’s something that’s held it together. That foundation, culture, mentality and that’s what is holding it together.”

The last thing on the Arsenal board’s mind will be sacking Arteta or considering an eventual replacement for the Spaniard, who despite suffering a trialling time, is making the most out what has been a punishing campaign for the Gunners.