Arteta given one more chance to overhaul Arsenal

Mikel Arteta has reportedly been given 10 games in the new Premier League season to turn things around at Arsenal, or he could get the axe. It comes after the Gunners have suffered one of their worst seasons in years and the North London club are facing the real possibility of not playing European football in the 2021/22 campaign.

The causes of Arsenal’s lack of form are hard to pinpoint. Many have targeted the Kroenke ownership of the Gunners as being the key reason why the club are looking directionless. Others have suggested that the team are merely going through a period of transition with the old guard of Pierre Emerick Aubameyang giving way to a fresh wave of talent such as Bukayo Saka.

However, it is Arteta who will have to face responsibility for the club’s dismal efforts on the pitch. While Arsenal’s season was given a brief burst of hope with the recent 3-1 win over Crystal Palace, it’s hard to deny the fact that it’s been an underwhelming campaign.

Much will depend on Arsenal’s final game of the season against Brighton and Hove Albion. If events go their way, the Gunners could find their way into the Europa League places and enjoy leapfrogging Tottenham Hotspur in the process.

However, if Arsenal fail on the weekend, it will mark the first time that Arsenal haven’t qualified for Europe since the 1995/96 campaign. All of which has meant that many of the bookmakers featured at www.playersbest.com give Arteta some of the shortest odds to be the next Premier League manager to get the axe.

The good news for Arteta is that he will reportedly be given the summer to try and rebuild the Arsenal team. Already the Kroenke ownership have stepped in and used their financial muscle to give Arteta the money he needs to bring in some new talent.

Arsenal’s fading stars 

There’s a growing feeling that many of the more established Arsenal stars aren’t firing on all cylinders anymore. From the temperamental antics of Granit Xhaka to the deeply inconsistent Alexandre Lacazette, many Arsenal players may find themselves out of favour.

Plus it’s worth noting that Aubameyang has had his worst season since signing from Borussia Dortmund for £57 million in 2017/18. The striker has suffered with unusual sicknesses and family illnesses, but with just 10 Premier League goals to his name this season, it’s an alarming drop in form.

Even the current goalkeeper Bernd Leno has signalled that he wants to leave the Emirates. While Matthew Ryan is still playing back-up goalie on loan from Brighton, it’s clear that Arteta might have to sign another keeper to supplement the player this summer.

Creating room for new talent 

There’s already been something of a clear-out of the Arsenal ranks with Mesut Ozil finally leaving the club and Joe Willock making a massive success of his loan to Newcastle United. Plus it looks like both Dani Ceballos and Martin Odegaard could be heading back to Real Madrid after their fairly unspectacular loan spells.

Already, Arsenal are closing in on the Celtic forward Odsonne Edouard. It’s reported that the 23-year old French striker would have to be snapped up for £20 million, and while Leicester City are also in the hunt, Arsenal are currently leading the field.

Brighton’s midfield star Yves Bissouma is another player who has been heavily linked with Arsenal. The 24-year old has a £40 million price tag, and both Arsenal and Liverpool are in the hunt for the midfielder.

Other players that Arsenal are targeting include the Real Betis defensive midfielder Guido Rodriguez, alongside Premier League stars such as Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha, Newcastle’s Allan Saint-Maximin and Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey. All of which could give Arteta plenty of options for reimagining Arsenal for the new campaign, but whether it’s enough to save his job remains to be seen.