Gooners seem divided on whether Mikel Arteta should remain at Arsenal if he does not end our 22 year title drought. A portion of our fanbase goes as far as saying the Spaniard should lose his job even if he lifts the Championship this month.
Yet not for the first time, the 44 year old’s career might be helped by Pep Guardiola. Which is fitting because the two are close friends, having worked together at the Etihad.
This weekend, various media outlets stressed a belief that this will be the Man City boss’s final season in England.
Could Guardiola’s exit change the landscape?
One of the greatest to ever manage, no longer working in the Premiership, could only be positive news in North London, especially for his apprentice.
I believe whatever happens in the next few weeks, the Kroenke family have zero desire to sack their manager. This far into a process, our owners might feel that it would be foolish to rip up a plan and start again when the Gunners are so close to trophies.
The only way I can see a change in management at the Emirates is if the man himself chooses to walk away. Our ex captain has put a lot of energy into his job, which is exhausting, but even more so if he only has an FA Cup to show for his work. That, of course, is if the worst were to happen in May.
Is patience still justified?
He has a talented dressing room which, if kept together, will only get better. The only issue is, how long have we been saying that?
It’s like the story “The Boy Who Cried Wolf”.
Yet it would be easier to ask for patience if it were confirmed that a legend were no longer a competition.
If Arteta needed to convince himself to keep trying, there could be motivation behind the thought that his mentor was no longer an obstacle.
I know some of my peers have long felt this campaign was now or never for the current regime, but would that change if Pep Guardiola were no longer a factor?
Dan Smith
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
ADMIN COMMENT
So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through this link…
Man city just dropped 2 points now, I’d have preferred the whole three
Don’t think the Kroenkes will fire Arteta. Likely scenario is him walking or ‘amicable’ agreement to ‘terminate’ contract.
Pep walking, is no determining factor for him to stay. Albeit it’s been a battle between the two, and he couldn’t take the chance when city were poor the last season.
Again a rivalry will always be available no matter whoever is in charge of any team involved in a title race.
Of course they won’t, why would they? He’s also not leaving of his own accord.
People need to stop with these imaginary scenarios.
What has Guardiolla got to do with how Arsenal think about themselves. We shouldn’t be looking at other teams. We didn’t when Klopp left and look what happened there. No we judge ourselves on our trophies. Lets hope we finally get it over the line🤞
because mate if Pep isn’t at the Ethiad and Maresca it might be easier to convince some fans to give Arteta one more chance ( if the worse were to happen )
Make no difference. Arsenal should think of Arsenal. It doesn’t matter who is manager at anywhere else. When are you ever going to win trophies by looking around you and not worrying about yourself. I am sure City, Bayer, Real, Barca only think of themselves. Thats why they are serial winners. If Arteta does the job, he is the man. If he doesn’t, lets not look for imaginary scenarios that are not there and are not what wins you trophies. Ruthlessness win you trophies. 🤞Arteta can find some Ruthlessness, this season and then we do not need to look at City, Chelsea, Liverpool to see what they do. Lets do it ourselves and with Ruthlessness. Otherwise we may never win another trophy again.
Chances do not come from the fans. He is not getting sacked.
People need to get over this!
I honestly reckon Mikel is the best around.
Arteta has assembled the best squad that I’ve ever seen at Arsenal , he’s given us supporters direction,pride, unity and a belief that we are properly challenging for trophies. That is something I’ve not seen in my 64 years as a Gunners supporter
we never learn lol
now in a few months when readers ask me ‘ who Dan’ or ‘ how many ‘ ….here it is lol
lets just be humble
You were the obviously asleep during the Wenger early years, Graham’s 90’s and Mee’s double winning season then LeMmy!!!
do you see what l mean mate ?
there are two extremes with our fanbase lol
…even 3 extremes among our fans:-
*conventional fans =working class/tribe like ideals
*unconventional fans = corporate ideals/arrogant
bandwagonist = disengaged followers of trend
Guardiolla Is taking the Italian job.
Chelsea are a long way from challenging next season. Liverpool may make manager change too, and need to replace top stars. Ditto Newcastle. Manures defence cannot sustain a title challenge.
Why we would sack Arteta for winning nothing this season, when consistently for giving it another go next season would make us hot favourites once again? it doesn’t sound rational thinking to me.
You win nothing if not knocking at the door, MA cannot be blamed for all the years we were not knocking at the door. For many in “the drought” we were not seriously challenging.
The board will first and foremost keep Arteta because he is making money for them by finishing in the latter stages of the UCL and finishing 2nd in the EPL.
This season he just might go one better and win a trophy and that will guarantee him a stay for sure.
With Mancity just having only a point from Everton match, the Coast is now clear, as Arsenal would surely win its three remaining matches. The trophy of the EPL is coming to Arsenal.
Yes, definitely the league is for arsenal, but match agaist westham will be very hard , well we thank God for Arsenal, w they are in control to win the league.
By 24 Arsenal will celebrate.
Please please please don’t use God…..if it even exists….in a football context
If an Arsenal God existed why have we been barren for 20 odd years?
Because that’s not how God works
Logically speaking West Ham are awful, Palace will likely be on the beach and Burnley are relegated. Logic is not how it works though.
Every time it looks like we have a clear chance to seize the initiative we fumble. I am not counting my chickens until it’s in the bag. But a HUGE boost for Atletico tonight.
My prediction for Arteta line up against Atletico Madrid.
Gyokeres.
Martinelli. Eze. Saka.
Rice. Zubimendi.
Hincapie. Gabriel. Saliba. White.
Raya.
With Mancity just having only a point from Everton match, the Coast is now clear, as Arsenal would surely win its three remaining matches. The trophy of the EPL is coming to Arsenal.
I’m so scared for the match against West Ham.
If we win that match, then we will win the league.
No we won’t?
I know, people counting their chickens and all that…!
If we beat the Hammers it’s still going all the way to May 24th unless City lose a game.
SJ,
A few days ago you had been completely surrendering the title to City.
Here’s one hoping that Brentford would do us a favor. After all they are just point off Europa League spot. They dominated Man United away although they were ultimately defeated. Won’t be an easy match for City.
Maate…don’t count your chickens..it’s arteta we are talking about.
Know why we played so well recently,? he had no choice but to open up as we NEEDED wins. Now that we are ahead again, I am afraid he will revert to his play not to lose and WH is his one of his bogey teams.
Pdoff. NO we have to play to win!!! Cannot drop points and allow City back in now that we have an edge. Arteta’s no fool and will play to win every game.
Absolutely right about Arteta. Will revert back to the usual
My preferred line up against Atletico Madrid –
Gyokeres.
Trossard. Eze. Saka.
Skelly. Rice.
Hincapie. Gabriel. Saliba. Mosquera.
Raya.
SJ,
Zubimendi knows well Atletico more than Arteta. He’s a trusted lieutenant. Just by one odd game Skelly in Zubi out?
SJ, you are on spot. That for me should be the starting line up.
A very good question Dan, because Guardiola is still the teacher and Arteta the pupil, as we saw when the former completely outclassed the latter technically in my opinion.
Of course, no matter if Guardiola was at city 130 or not, if the PL had dealt with the charges bought against the manchester club, I suspect Arteta would have had, morally at least, two PL titles under his belt already.
I can’t see him leaving, making any difference to Arteta.
He’s his own man and will be facing a much stronger manure, pool and spud side (yes, a contentious election, but new manager and fit players remember) plus those excellent city130 players who will still be there, will make it just as difficult for him.
just think though if we can get over the line mentally that will be huge and suddenly we start next season a very settled club
where as Liverpool and Chelsea I don’t think will and if Pep leaves that can only hurt them ?
will be well placed
have always said , we get over that line once , the rest will be easier
I can see the merits in both yours and Ken1945s views
Utd have benefited hugely from Carrick’s arrival. It seems likely he’ll get the job but the proof of the pudding will be in what his prowess in the transfer market is like. Slot did an excellent job with the players he inherited but his transfer dealings haven’t improved Liverpool’s grip on the title.
On the face of it, if Pep were to bow out, it’s a breathe a sigh of relief moment. His influence on the course of the league over his tenure is immense. City are a strong team so barring a managerial catastrophe should still be so next season.
I’m hearing Maresca though Sue .
I rather Arteta go against him in a title race then Pep lol
Yes, I’d heard that too Dan. We all talk about Arteta being the Guardiola apprentice, but so is Maresca. He did well in that ramshackle situation at Chelsea so appears to have a decent pedigree
Over the last few seasons there has been little difference between the two managers from a tactical standpoint.
Pep’s overall body of work and the financial backing he would continue to receive gives Pep just a slight edge.
Swap Haaland and Gyokeres and Arsenal win the PL with little doubt.
All these “over the line”, “mentality” narratives are overblown.
disagree
if it were close the trophies would be closer
just got to accept that Pep is one of the greatest to ever manage
The trophy count isn’t the sole determinant of tactical prowess. This is the first season that Arsenal have had a squad that is at a comparable level to that of MC. Even then Arsenal have had to contend with a greater amount of injuries for most of the season.
Saying Pep is one of the greatest is something most would not dispute. However, there is a persistent lack of respect for Arteta which in my view has contributed to some of the unhealthy anxiety and negativity amongst certain fans.
it’s not a lack of respect to say he’s not been tatically better then one of the greatest to ever manage
Maybe one day ?
Yet if your going to say there is not allot between them they the fact one is more successful than the other is naturally going to be mentioned
At this point, tactically, both managers are at a similar level. Pep has the edge in experience but on any given day if both have teams at full strength the games between the two are likely to be close. The title race also gives an indication of how close they are. There was clearly a much greater difference in squad quality a few seasons ago.
There is a lack of respect. Every time Arsenal have dropped points there is a huge outpouring of negativity. Some have stated that Arteta has to go even if Arsenal win a major trophy. People here are calling him “substandard”. Some have insinuated that any other manager would definitely have won a major title if they were in Arteta’s place.
Disagree , head to head i think Arteta has only ever beaten Pep Guardiola twice in the Prem and never at the Ethiad.
So if you compare trophies and results against each other it’s one sided
Which it’s your opinion , you seem to be in a cycle. Every time Arsenal are close to doing something special you come out with arrogant statements instead of just waiting.
Then when he fails , you get sensitive if he gets any critics
You can’t have it both ways. If your saying he’s on Peps level you can’t if we now don’t win title say …..why are peeps being harsh
What have I stated that is arrogant? My comments here clearly relate to the last few years where games between MC and Arsenal have mostly been close.
Both teams are challenging for the PL title. Both teams are close in overall recent results.
You have a problem in acknowledging any kind of balanced assessments.
You say I get sensitive because I disagree that it reasonable to label challengers for a title as bottlers or other such derogatory labels unless they win.
It seems you get sensitive whenever anyone suggests that Arteta deserves any credit.
no because it doesn’t bother me .
I don’t need to change anyone’ mind if that’s what they want to believe.
But yeah in my opinion it’s arrogant to say Arteta is the same level as Pep .
Maybe one day ? but not yet
😂😂
Maresca is also a Pep apprentice and did better with Chelsea than his replacements so he’s definitely one to watch.
Like Sir Alex Ferguson did in 2012 Guardiola, after failing to win the title, may extend his stay.
OT
I’m so happy that City drew with Everton
Now if we can win our remaining 3 matches, we will be champions
COYG
When Klopp announced his departure, Guardiola said ‘now I sleep well’. Maybe he over slept? Slot last season Arteta NOW!
I think it kinda does as Pep and City have been the major obstacle between us and the league title and a weaker City opens up an opportunity for us to grab some league titles as the rest of the big 6 are in various stage of rebuilding. We know what Arteta gives us a steady 80-85 pts season, last season even with that major injury crisis we would have finished in that range had we not ignored the league for CL when top 4 was secured and the title was lost.
But that will remain a moot point as there is no way the Kroenke will sack him even we finish trophyless as steady top 2 and later stage of the CL is all they want, Trophies are just a bonus for them. Only way Arteta leaves is if he voluntary steps down.
I hadn’t heard that Pep was likely to leave City soon. He did once say that he wouldn’t stay if they were proven to have cheated, so perhaps he’s jumping ship before it sinks.
Plenty of rumours swirling Jax.
SueP.
Probably self defeating to say it, but I think that Pep would be a big loss to the Premier League, and I’d really like him to stay, whether it was at City or elsewhere (probably “elsewhere” TBH).
The PL can’t afford to lose people like Pep & Arne Slot.
Oh!Oh! Bit of a senior moment there. Not Slot, but Jurgen Klopp.
I would love to see him manage either WH or Spuds depending on which one doesn’t go down. Of course somehow I doubt if he wouldn’t even if they matched his pay package. It would be a golden opportunity to prove conclusively how good he really is.
correction: “doubt if he would even”
Yes Jax that is it. Strategic move following in the footsteps of the director Begiristain who left early this season to be replaced by Hugo Viana.
Pep has coached at a high level for 19yrs while Mikel has coached merely 6yrs (nearer 10yrs if we include time with Pep). Mikel Arteta’s journey is picking up more momentum bere it in mind he’s had to do a clear-out and re-jig to find a model of his own liking.
There’s 11 years age difference between the two – how will we know what honors or records MA will achieve until he (at least) matches Pep’s 19years coaching? Pep is indeed a noteworthy manager but there’s not only one place on the shelf for his portrait alone when it comes down to standout managers. One Coa-coa can not fill a basket (old jamaican saying).
For me I don’t care who the manager is of the opposition. I care about my team, and if their not good enough to overcome said team and whoever manages them, then that’s the way it is.
Arsenal need to concentrate on themselves and no one else. Whether Guardiola is still City’s manager next season I couldn’t care less to be honest. Football is a competitive sport, and you’ve got to beat whoever is in front of you.
City having drooped two points at Everton last night has put the Title back in Arsenal’s hands. Something Guardiola can’t change. Only Arsenal can change that narrative now as I say, Arsenal need to concentrate on doing their job. If they do, Guardiola will be totally irrelevant.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS.
100% agree = totally
👍Derek
OOPS! I meant dropped, although when City were 3-1 down, they did look to have drooped to be fare.😂🤣👍