Mikel Arteta has been warned to stop his Roberto Martinez act next season and deliver on his promises or his job will be at risk.
Arsenal boss Arteta watched his side blow a golden opportunity to get back into the Champions League at the end of last term, when they were pipped by Tottenham. But club bosses are backing him in the transfer market with £45m new boy Gabriel Jesus a done deal - and Gunners great Paul Merson reckons the pressure will be on.
Merson says Arteta has started to sound as hilariously out of touch as Belgium boss Martinez, who earned a reputation for glossing over defeats at Everton. Writing in his Daily Star online column, Merson said: "Arsenal is not a project any more and Mikel Arteta needs to show he can deliver or his job will be under threat.
"It needs to start now. This is it. They need to get top four. If they don't, I think he could be in a bit of trouble. He can't keep feeding everyone this line that Arsenal are a work in progress. It's time to deliver now. This is Arsenal Football Club. Arteta failed last season.
"He has to get them in the Champions League now. He can't be allowed to fail again. The board seem quite happy with him and the ground is packed out every week. But Arteta is starting to sound like Roberto Martinez. Martinez has this way of talking after his team have lost that's like the scene from Men In Black when they flick the switch and everyone forgets how horrible it's been.
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"Arteta does it as well. He talks after a game and suddenly leaves you thinking: 'Oh it wasn't that bad.' When it was. That needs to change this season. I think it's all or nothing. And I don't think there's a better chance of getting in the top four if I'm being honest.
" Chelsea still look good for third. But Manchester United are still in disarray in my opinion and Tottenham have Champions League football to distract them. Arsenal have a big chance here and they need to grab it with both hands. If they finish outside the top four but with the Europa League... Not a problem. Because that's a big trophy and it gets you into the Champions League.
"But Arteta needs to get them in there one way or another because they had a big chance last season and they blew it. Getting Gabriel Jesus is massive. That will help no end. That is a big signing because he will score goals. I think he fits in. Put the ball in the box and he will score goals. He misses chances sometimes but he doesn't hide.
"He keeps getting in there and he's a proven goalscorer at this level. SOme players, you see them miss a chance and you never see them in the box again. Their heads go down. That doesn't happen with him. I think he is a big, big signing for Arsenal and could make a real difference."
