Mikel Arteta, the former midfielder and Arsenal manager, has had a challenging tenure. Despite being at the helm for almost six years, he has only managed to lift one major piece of silverware - the 2020 FA Cup. This season marked another trophy-less campaign for Arsenal under his leadership.
Arteta led the Gunners to their first Champions League semi-final in 16 years but fell short against Paris Saint-Germain in both legs. The team also failed to clinch the Premier League title despite consecutive second-place finishes behind Manchester City.
Jamie Carragher, a former Liverpool defender and now a prominent TV pundit, warned that Arteta could face dismissal if he doesn't "win something big" next season. He expressed this concern following Arsenal’s spirited 2-2 draw away to Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
Jamie Carragher, Liverpool legend, said:
"This season felt like it should have been their season. There's no doubt next season that the pressure will be on Mikel Arteta massively in terms of winning something and winning something big.
"The Arsenal board, if they don't [win a major trophy], will have a massive issue because they won't want to change their manager, but there will be that many people saying: five or six years without a trophy. They will be looking at how many managers can make that next step."
Silver lining under Arteta’s leadership
Despite these challenges and criticisms, it is important to note that under Arteta’s watch, there have been significant improvements within the club. When he took over in late 2019, Arsenal was teetering on chronic mediocrity; they were languishing in 11th place with a negative goal difference.
However, since then, he has overseen two of the four highest points totals in modern history for Arsenal. In addition to winning the FA Cup shortly after his appointment as manager in 2020; he also led them to win Community Shields twice - once later that year and again three years later. Carragher himself conceded that despite not adding much to the trophy cabinet, Arteta has done a "brilliant job" in transforming the club. He suggested that Arsenal could easily become what Chelsea is right now - a team that consistently finishes second and struggles to qualify for the Champions League.
While Arteta's tenure at Arsenal has been marked by near misses and unfulfilled potential, his transformative impact on the club cannot be overlooked. However, as Carragher's comments suggest, there is an increasing need for tangible success in terms of silverware. The upcoming season will undoubtedly be crucial for Arteta’s future at Arsenal.
