Mikel Arteta at risk of losing Arsenal dressing room over one issue claims club legend
Arsenal have until the end of the transfer window to bring in some new players
Arsenal were held 2-2 at home by Aston Villa this weekend. Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz got their goals against Unai Emery’s side, whilst Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins were on the scoresheet for the visitors.
The Gunners remain in 2nd place in the Premier League table behind Liverpool as they chase down top spot. They are back in action on Wednesday night at the Emirates Stadium against Dynamo Zagreb.
Arsenal fired warning by Emmanuel Petit
Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit believes Arteta need to win the title this season to convince their players that he can lead them to the biggest prizes in the game. The Gunners have fallen short over recent years.
Petit has said: “The fact that Arsenal is not involved in the FA Cup and could be heading out of the League Cup, that may help them focus on the Premier League and it may help them because they have a few injuries. In the meantime, Arsenal have to solve their own problems if they want to compete in the title race.
“I've been saying that for months, as a former player I know that when you work so hard for three, four seasons and when you come so close to being champions, if the same things keep happening, it’s going to be very difficult for Arteta the next season to keep his players motivated if they don't win something at the end of the season. I won't put pressure on Arsenal and Arteta, but I can understand the frustration and Arteta will be frustrated as well.”
The ex-midfielder has warned Arteta that he needs to win a trophy in this campaign at least: “They need to put pressure on Liverpool, definitely. It is a big task for the players and Arteta, but Arteta knows that he has to win something at the end of the season.
“The title race is not over but Arsenal has to be much better on the pitch, which means the pressure will be on the players but also on Arteta. He knows as a manager that the last time he won something that was four, five years ago, I think it was the FA Cup. So now they are not involved in the national cups, which means they have to put all the energy to get back and to put pressure on Liverpool, definitely. It would be a big task for the players and Arteta, but Arteta knows that he has to do something at the end of the season.”
What now for Arsenal?
The transfer window remains open and Arsenal could do with delving into the market. They don’t have the same depth as Liverpool do.
The Gunners are crying out for another striker and a different dimension in games. The London outfit have until the end of the month to find someone.
In the meantime, they will be eager to bounce back from their draw against Aston Villa. Their next league fixture is an away trip to the Midlands to face Wolves.