This is never a conversation I want to have as an Arsenal supporter. If the topic arrives that the manager’s future is being discussed it can only be because the club is not performing or moving in the desired direction.
Arsenal’s 1-0 loss to Southampton was the third league defeat on the spin. The three games that were to precede the challenges against Chelsea, Manchester United and West Ham. Yet Arsenal find themselves in a situation where top-four is not only looking unlikely but that a fight to qualify for the Europa League is now on.
Mikel Arteta finished eighth twice as coach, leaving Arsenal out of Europe. I was willing to be patient because I could see the progression taking place off the field. Changes were made that were necessary for the long-term prosperity of the club.
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Moving on players not good enough, lowering the age profile and wage bill, establishing a stronger path from the youth team to the senior squad and making the club more competitive in the fixtures against the top sides in the league. Not to mention the overhaul of recruitment and returning to signing players from other Premier League sides not surplus to requirements.
However, the reality is that Arteta is not the only coach that can achieve these things. He is the first in a decade-plus, which granted him plenty of plaudits. Yet, as a coach, his decision-making in times of crisis and when the pressure is on have ultimately seen the young manager come unstuck. Sure, losing the likes of Thomas Partey, Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu would hurt most teams.
However, the decision not to take advantage of the opportunity to grab the top-four chase in January by bringing in reinforcements was a colossal failure. Eddie Nketiah started yesterday for a top-four chasing side, and it is difficult to see what relegation battling club would do the same with the 22-year-old.
Worse still, how many Premier League sides would start Arsenal’s number nine Alexandre Lacazette right now? The answer is a concerning one. With just four Premier League goals all season, his last from open play scored back in December, the problem Arteta self-inflicted is too obvious to deny.
Club owner Stan Kroenke may show little enthusiasm for Arsenal but his son and club director Josh Kroenke has shown plenty. Speaking over the Superbowl weekend, Josh said he wanted to see the club return to the level of the Invincibles. “The Invincibles are something our club has had to hang onto just a little bit and we’re trying to reach that level again,” said Josh.
If that is the aim, to be challenging at the highest level, then falling out of the European qualification places, not counting the UEFA Conference League, for a third successive season is not acceptable.
football.london reported in January that the club are expected to offer Mikel Arteta a new contract. The Spaniard has just one year left on his deal. Arsenal were left regressing year on year. Whilst the slide off the field has been tackled, the on-field issues have continued and ultimately the league position after three seasons may again disappoint.
What justification is there to renew when the opportunity to appoint someone new could benefit the team more? Of course, there remains time left in the season to turn a corner.
But it is important to speak frankly and have these conversations and be relieved later on if everything turns out okay. The reality however is the future looks bleak from a competitive standpoint. The hope is Arteta turns this around. We’re Arsenal in, and no individual is of greater standing. If Arteta succeeds, Arsenal succeeds and that is what matters most.
