Arsenal’s recent form has left the club in a precarious situation, as chaos has erupted behind the scenes at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal have suffered back-to-back defeats, having been beaten by Newcastle United in the Premier League before losing 1-0 in the Champions League against Inter Milan on Wednesday evening.
Meanwhile, Edu Gaspar unexpectedly resigned as Arsenal sporting director earlier this week, leaving a question as to how the club’s leadership group will look going forwards.
The Gunners’ poor form and Edu’s exit have all served to lower the mood in North London, which Mikel Arteta will be as aware of as anyone.
Mikel Arteta’s future at Arsenal on the line after Thierry Henry comment
Arsenal were tipped to win the Premier League title this season. However, their ability to even mount a serious challenge for the crown is now hanging by a thread.
The Gunners are already trailing league leaders Liverpool by seven points, and are five points behind reigning champions Manchester City.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  LiverpoolLiverpool | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 6 | 13 | 25 |
| 2 |  Man CityManchester City | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 21 | 11 | 10 | 23 |
| 3 |  Nottm ForestNottingham Forest | 10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 19 |
| 4 |  ChelseaChelsea | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 20 | 12 | 8 | 18 |
| 5 |  ArsenalArsenal | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 17 | 11 | 6 | 18 |
| 6 |  Aston VillaAston Villa | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 17 | 15 | 2 | 18 |
| 7 |  TottenhamTottenham | 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 22 | 11 | 11 | 16 |
| 8 |  BrightonBrighton | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 17 | 14 | 3 | 16 |
Whilst there is still plenty of time left in the campaign for Arsenal to make up lost ground, they cannot afford to let this gap between themselves and the top of the table to widen any further.
Thierry Henry has warned Arsenal that they must beat Chelsea on Sunday to keep their title hopes alive.
Arteta’s main objective is to make the Gunners champions of England again, and has taken the club close to this goal in each of the last two campaigns.
However, falling short so spectacularly this season by losing against the Blues would represent a huge backwards step and would raise serious questions about the manager’s ability to deliver major honours.
How has Edu Gaspar’s Arsenal exit impacted Arteta?
Should the Spanish coach come under such pressure, he may find that his position within the club is more fragile than it has been in the past.
Edu was one of Arteta’s protectors at Arsenal, even defending the manager’s post when he came under fire earlier on in his tenure.
With the Brazilian sporting director now out of the picture, Arteta has lost an influential ally.
Should the Arsenal fans calling for Arteta to be sacked grow louder, as they surely will should his side fall short at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, then he may find that his position becomes untenable in the long-term.
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