Mikel Arteta sent stark Arsenal ultimatum over what his future could boil down to

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EXCLUSIVE: Mikel Arteta sent stark Arsenal ultimatum over what his future could boil down to

EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal are battling to win the Premier League, as well as competing in the semi-finals of the Champions League, but question marks remain around Mikel Arteta's job long-term

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The Spaniard has been largely successful in north London over the past seven years, rebuilding the club and guiding them to an FA Cup and a pair of Community Shields. However, it's consistently been a case of always the bridesmaid and never the bride in terms of Premier League success for the head coach.

Arsenal have come agonisingly close to lifting the coveted league title for the last three seasons, but have struggled to get over the line for one reason or another. The Gunners fell just five points short of glory to Manchester City in 2022/23, missed out to the same club by just two points the following season, and were pipped to the post by Liverpool by 10 last time out.

And given the team are just three points clear of Pep Guardiola's Sky Blues at the summit at present, there are worries that 2025/26 might not be their year either. That's considering Arsenal held a seven point lead over their Premier League title rivals just last month, before losses to Bournemouth and City themselves allowed them to bridge the gap substantially.

City also hold a game in hand over Arsenal at present, with five matches left to play in the English top flight to Arsenal's four. Should both teams remain perfect from now until season's end, it could all come down to goal difference over the course of the season.

And with Arsenal just one goal ahead of the Cityzens, it looks to be a nervy run up to May 24's all important finale – where the Gunners will take on Crystal Palace and City will face Aston Villa.

While it may sound ludicrous to suggest that Arsenal could be considering giving Arteta the boot considering the turnaround they have enjoyed under him, Matthew Upson has explained that the be all and end all of his future could be winning titles with the club.

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Speaking exclusively to football.london via Casino Groups, he said: "How you can be as successful as what he has been – because let's face it, he has brought success back to the football club from where they were when he took over.

"They're now a very serious contender across Europe and the Premier League. He's built that over time, which I like.

"I think he's got a really solid foundation. But he hasn't won enough. And as we know, this is the game.

"And you're at a club like Arsenal, you've got to win something. So, you know, if they were to come away empty-handed this season, after being across all four competitions in January and looking strong in certainly the Premier League.

"It'll also be whether or not he feels that way as well, I suppose. You know, where his thoughts are at, because he's put his heart and soul into the job.

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"And he won't have got the desired outcome that he wanted. So, I think it's an interesting thought. The club will have to review what their kind of ideas are and where they want to go.

"But there's no doubt for me that he's brought a brilliant foundation and he's taken Arsenal to the brink, hasn't he? And, you know, in my mind with what he's put in, he deserves some success at the end of it. But we'll have to wait and see."

It comes as Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw by Atletico Madrid at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Wednesday evening, penalties from Viktor Gyokeres and Julian Alvarez setting the scoreline. They now play host to the La Liga challengers at the Emirates Stadium in the reverse come Tuesday, May 5.

A win there will see them progress to May's grand finale against either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich, who head into their own mirroring semi-final second leg at the Allianz Arena come Wednesday, May 6. Luis Enrique's side have a slight advantage from their initial meeting, which they won 5-4 earlier this week.

Should Arsenal make next month's final, it would offer Arteta another shot at silverware this season, and ultimately, another chance to potentially secure his role with the club next term.

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