Mikel Arteta attempted to remain positive but Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday felt like a significant moment in the Premier League title race.
Pep Guardiola’s chasers are now just three points behind the Gunners, with a game in hand.
A lead that seemed unassailable only a few weeks ago has almost disappeared, and the pressure continues to mount on Arsenal.
Arteta's Arsenal future not guaranteed
Arteta has undoubtedly taken his team forward, and silverware could still come this season, but questions will be asked if Arsenal do not get over the line in the Premier League again.
If City win the league and Arsenal are knocked out of the Champions League, could the club’s hierarchy consider a change?
The Athletic’s David Ornstein has suggested it is not a given that Arteta will remain at Arsenal long-term if things do not go to plan in the immediate future.
“I’m sure Arsenal want Arteta to continue into next season and beyond (he’s contracted until June 2027 at present), while it sounds from Arteta’s own words as though he wants the same,” Ornstein said in Q&A for The Athletic.
“If things go badly for them between now and the summer, I’m sure there will be some very difficult conversations, and it would be naive of me to say I can’t see a world in which he departs – nothing surprises you in football and (for various reasons) I would say that about pretty much every Premier League club at the moment.
“So, the intention is clear – but obviously there is a lot riding on the weeks ahead.”
The general consensus is that Arteta has made tangible progress with Arsenal and created a team consistently fighting for trophies - even if making the final push to win them has so far proved difficult.
And the Spaniard is in no mood to give up despite the setback of defeat at The Etihad.
“If I have to pick the players up to win the Premier League with five games to go in our hands and be in the semi-final of the Champions League, I think I should be at home,” he said. “So it's not the case. It's not needed. It's never been needed, even in difficult moments. So we go again, that's for sure.”
In FourFourTwo’s view, there is no danger of Arteta being sacked, but a major trophy is imperative very soon to ensure it does not become a mental block for this Arsenal team.
