I have written for JustArsenal throughout Arteta’s reign as manager. In fact, I had been submitting articles when he was captain of our club.
I would say that the last couple of weeks is the first time a sizable portion of our readers have questioned whether he should keep his job. Some have lost faith in the Spaniard, while others are letting doubts creep in.
Let me clarify—it’s very unlikely our boss will lose his job this summer. It would take a dramatic collapse, like missing out on the top four, for him to be sacked. Even then, it might require evidence that he’s lost the dressing room.
The 42-year-old was given a new contract as recently as September. Not only was his deal extended, but he was also made the third highest-paid coach in the world.
Where I work, if my employer is unhappy with my performance, they don’t give me a massive pay rise. If you’re authorising someone to be paid £9 million a year, that means you’re content with finishing second two years running.
You’re not changing your mind five months later because the team is still in second place. That’s not how successful business people operate.
His original extension was after two eighth-place finishes, without the Kroenke family knowing where he would finish in his third season. That our owners didn’t want to wait to see if we would qualify for the Champions League (we didn’t) was a clear show of faith.
The latest deal is reported to have included a pay increase of approximately £4 million a season. That’s the opposite of an employee being under any pressure. Delighted to once again be getting maximum revenue from UEFA, Arteta has been rewarded.
This was probably out of fear that, with his reputation growing, they didn’t want the ex-midfielder to be seduced by Man City or Barcelona. His connection with those giants is obvious.
Volunteering to make Arteta second only to Pep Guardiola in terms of wealth, with only one FA Cup on his CV, confirms what we always knew—progress at Arsenal is not purely based on trophies.
Since joining our board in 2006, as long as we dine at UEFA’s head table, your position is secure.
I maintain that, over in the US, Stan Kroenke translates every metric as a job well done in North London.
Not only is there zero thought about the need for change, but he will also be toasting the money being made at the Emirates.
Alternative voices can’t be heard over in America. Even if they could, you don’t become a billionaire without having thick skin.
They can tolerate any Gooners crying on social media. Not that they are digesting much Arsenal content anyway.
The only way someone different is in our dugout in August is if Arteta chooses that to be the case.
Which might not be as clear-cut as we think.
After his third full campaign, when reviewing why his team failed to hang on in the title race, Arteta admitted doubting himself. Famously spending more days top of the table than any side that did not end up champions, he took the collapse hard.
Failure to make his squad mentally strong enough had made him sensitive to his own skill set.
Unable to protect youngsters from being crippled by a fear of failure broke his heart.
He got so close to putting smiles on everyone’s faces that he now looked in the mirror and didn’t know if the reflection he saw was a man able to get over the line.
Essentially undertaking his apprenticeship at the Etihad, the assistant manager was being mentored by Pep Guardiola, one of the most intense men to ever coach.
Pep’s attention to detail is almost obsessive. The reason he had to walk away from the Nou Camp was that, emotionally, he had given everything he had. If he didn’t rest, he would become ill.
If that’s your teacher (and friend), many of these qualities will have been adopted.
Yet, as Pep has shown himself recently, it’s exhausting when you’re winning—but silverware is the best medicine. Without the medals, your brain suddenly feels very tired.
Pep, though, is comforted by 15 league and cup titles since moving to England.
His protégé is fighting to return the Gunners to the highest level. Every year he fails, mentally, the next one becomes harder.
Especially with the feeling that opportunities have been allowed to pass by.
If Arteta then gets the impression that a portion of the fanbase is running out of patience, he might put himself first.
A big part of that is what really happened last month.
He said we were short in attack and needed help. Was he not listened to?
Did he turn down options?
How much involvement does he have in the transfer strategy?
Does he miss Edu?
He can’t publicly do anything but put on a brave face when talking to the press. It would be counterproductive to throw those who pay his salary under the bus.
Yet he was struggling on Wednesday to keep his composure after dropping more points due to our limitations up front.
When asked after full-time what he thought the issue was, he responded, ‘I don’t want to talk about that… again… we know.’
I believe Arteta loves the club and has the ambition to end our Premier League drought.
Yet if he feels he was let down in the last window, he has the personality not to let anyone’s incompetence impact his career.
Arteta is cerebral. We have seen that by how he treats talent once they don’t fit his ethos.
If he senses the Kroenke family didn’t match his principles, he will eventually put his own needs first.
He watched Mr Wenger be a shield, his love for the badge exploited.
If judged only on accolades, the Frenchman could have jumped to PSG or Bayern Munich the moment his best players were sold to pay off stadium debt.
Out of loyalty, he stayed. Loyalty that not all gave back.
Arteta was skipper at the time and will be aware that not all supporters were thankful—hence why Mr Wenger regrets not leaving sooner.
Arteta is too young to be manipulated.
In this sport, perception changes very quickly. A year ago, many saw him as being on a shortlist one day for a return to Manchester or Spain.
That makes the next transfer window a crossroads for Arteta.
He will be aware his popularity with fans has decreased in the last few months but won’t tolerate gambling his reputation if he feels he’s not to blame.
Only he knows what the criteria were.
It would seem harsh if he’s met the targets set for him yet is losing credibility.
You won’t find many sporting franchises where those in power increase your pay in September, but by February, your popularity with fans is at its lowest since you started the profession. There’s a disconnect.
You sense that, from now till May, who is accountable for neglecting our squad will continue to be divisive and the source of many debates.
One option for Arteta, if he does feel let down by the Kroenke family, is to resign—knowing that he’s only sabotaging his own future by working with his hands tied behind his back.
That would support him in future interviews, where he could rationalise why he couldn’t add to his FA Cup.
He wouldn’t be the first or last in the sport to walk away due to not having the same vision as the custodians of a club.
£9 million, though, is a massive sum to turn your back on.
It was he himself, though, in his first press conference as manager, who said he had values to uphold that he would not accept anyone not adhering to.
Does he have to reassess his own moral compass?
Do you stand still and let your own personal targets melt away just for the sake of your bank balance?
If Stan Kroenke is content for the Gunners not to progress, there’s little Arteta can do to stop that. He’s just an employee; the club doesn’t belong to him.
That doesn’t mean he has to freeze with them. It doesn’t have to slow his momentum down or stop him from moving forward.
Don’t be shocked if he’s thinking the same.
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.
Dan Smith,
You’ll be surprised what you’ll do when your employer offers you silly money. You don’t seem to care much about your so called principles then, sadly.
Still with this man in charge, at least we’ve still got win the dog and yet more of Arteta’s phases to look forward to.🙄🤦♂️
Oh mate I don’t disagree with that
Even Mr Wenger who I adored – I was more then aware that he was being financially compensated to be that shield
Arsenal won’t fire Arteta even if we drop out of top four.. The club knows what a talented manager he is. It is the injuries, and in a bigger picture the lack of squad depth, that has cost us the title this season. Not Artetas management. Even most of the journos seem to understand that.
If the Kroenkes fail to show ambition and enough financial support this summer, next season might be Artetas last one. I won’t be surprised if he then decide it’s time to leave. And several of our star players might do the same. Arteta and the boys have the ambition and wants to win trophies!
Why then did he persisted with his first eleven With just 3 substitute used when wr finished second previous two seasons when he had full and healthy squad. If squad depth was part of the reason we can’t win the league we his season.
He slightly changed that last season and yet we couldn’t win the league.
Arteta is a good manager, not great, and not talented IMO because he has not shown any of those talents now that he needs most. He can’t even adapt his team to our current situation. He one trick pony and risk averse as most people alluded to
Arsenal have a relatively small squad. The drop off in quality from preferred first choice options has also been an issue during the last couple of seasons.
Mats, you lost me when you said what a talented manager Arteta is. Oh my days!.😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣🙄🤦♂️🤷♂️
Arteta’s time was interrupted by Covid19 and seasons 2020/21 and 2021/22 were partial seasons.
In 2022/23 a bunch of kids played the most entertaining football ever played by an Arsensal team and were 10 points ahead of the field at one time carrying it through the 2023/24 season but fell short both season ad ody cared it was so entertaining.
This team had nothing to do with Arteta he inserted it and in both seasons FAILED to motivate young players over the line.
By 2024/25 he had destroyed that team and replaced it with new players in what was expected to be a title winning season. It is arguably the slowest methodical most boring team in the history of Arsenal football club.
Arteta is a fairly inexperienced coach in games played and time is on his side to prove he can win trophies. He is a Kroenke favourite and we have him three more years so hopefully he will pull through.
Gyokeres.
Xavi Simons. Odegaard. Saka.
Rice. Zubimendi.
Skelly. Gabriel. Saliba. Timber.
Raya.
If anybody wants to feel more depressed than they are, Mika Biereth scores his 3rd hattrick in 7 matches for Monaco. Thats 24 goals scored this season. He ccould easily finish the season with 30-35 goals.
FYI, Arteta and Edu valued him at 4 millions despite his impressive loans last season and didnt bother a buyback clause of any kind.
can we stop blaming Arteta for the commercial decisions. Edu is getting paid to do nothing having already agreed to join Forests owners !
Edu has a lot to answer for at the club – he has overseen the failure to buy a striker
What ever happens we are stuck with him. He will not be gone in the summer. Expect the same next year. Probably less.
Plus for him. There are not many clubs who would give him as much as Arsenal have.
Reggie,
As the saying goes, a fool and their money are soon parted. That some’s the owner’s right up for the contract they gave Arteta.🤦♂️🙄
2ND TEAM
Havertz.
Trossard. Nwaneri. Martinelli.
Merino. Partey.
Calafiori. Kiwior. Timber. Tomiyasu.
Hein.
Gyokeres – Havertz
Xavi. S – Trossard
Odegaard – Nwaneri
Saka – Martinelli
Rice – Merino
Zubimendi – Partey
Skelly – Calafiori
Gabriel – Kiwior
Saliba – Timber
White – Tomiyasu
Raya – Hein
A better offer from another top club would likely make Arteta leave in the summer
A club which will pay such a substandard coach more will come from out of this solar system.
PSG could do that
Maybe Real Madrid or Barcelona will be interested in Arteta since he is a very talented young manager and has received a knighthood honor from Spain
gotanidea,
Oh I hope your right, I really do. 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞
I’ll go and look back but who the Gooner last month who bet me 200 we would the CL this season ?
I am willing to offer him / her a 100 pound cash out as I feel bad lol
Gradually, the narrative is shifting towards the ownership being the only reason why we are in this situation. And l’m not saying they do not have there own share of fault in all these.
But please, can someone make comparisons between what Jorgen Klopp spent in his nine years at Liverpool and what Arteta has spent so far in his six? What the difference is and how that has translated to silverware for both clubs?
As I said I’m not absorbing the owners of there of blame for what many perceive as lack of incompetence. But everything being equal can we objectively describe over £700 million pound spent in less than 6 years as utter lack of ambition?
Or are the owners responsible for the fact that in the game against Leicester we had four left-backs of the bench with no single attacking substitute?
The fact that our squad is utterly imbalanced is no fault of the owners. We all know this is a major reason why we find ourselves in a quagmire.
You might want to blame them for not spending to reinforce in January. But we never really know if it was them not willing to splash the cash or Arteta not satisfied with available options and deciding to hold out. The late bid for Watkins throws into doubt what we think we know.
What ever be case, I doubt the owners could’ve done much in dissuading Arteta from signing additional defenders and midfielders when what we needed were attackers.
The only way they could’ve acted was to remind him that the purse is not bottomless.
We have had significant injuries in defence and midfield during the last couple of seasons. To suggest we didn’t need strengthening in these areas as well is simply not credible. We have been relatively lucky that the likes of Partey have been fit for most of this season. However, we have had injuries in defence which has meant that it has been difficult to maintain a consistent defensive set up.
‘ are the owners responsible for the fact that in the game against Leicester we had four left-backs of the bench with no single attacking substitute?’
Quite simply …….yes lol
Their manager told them ( as did fans , ex players , pundits , fans of others clubs ) Arsenal are really short up front and need help
If it were a one off then fine but if your ever bored go look at their net spend between 06-and say 2011 when he joins the board
Then in 2011 he has over 60 percent of meaning he’s in power and call the shots go look at his net spend after that ( only improves because they let contracts run down )
Sure he spent some money after we hit rock bottom and finished 8th !!!!! He had to to get us earning CL revenue ( even then he paid players to rip up contracts )
Now that we are it’s back to how it used to be
Dan, just spotted this reply – tell me, who signed the four left backs,, as I’m not sure who your referring too.
Some asked me the question so I replied
Someone
Arteta won’t leave 9m pounds a year and Kroenke will not sack him especially if he finishes top 6 and qualifies for either of the European competitions.
So we are stuck with him for 2 more years.
This month we will get a new sporting director so that will be the beginning of something new.
I suggest we let him run down his contract so he has no excuse to say the board did not give him a last chance.
Arteta has 2 more years to prove himself now.
I believe the new sporting director won’t listen to Arteta all the time and will buy the players for Arteta to work with.
you are assuming that Arteta has the last say on who to buy… I am sure he told Edu to go and buy Sesko but Arsenal never pay the release clause or asking price so players / agents / clubs never know how serious they are
With regards to buying more defenders / midfielders I dont have any real issue with that considering how many goals we scored last season. And we needed cover for Partey who has then gone on to play really well !
Jesus having a good pre season and coming back fit would have convinced Arteta not to buy a striker – but having sold Eddie and loaned out Nelson we should definitely have got one more attacking player
And then to January… Arteta finally said out loud we need help up front and the club didnt do anything other than a strange bid for Ollie Watkins.. For me we should have got Rashford as he was on loan and outed by Amorim… he would fit our play perfectly
I’m sure Arteta will collaborate with the recruitment team on who we’ll be needing, and the Director of Football will make the final decision.
It still baffles that someone can spend £800M but still seem like a bit of a miser, who will always prefer the cheaper option but here we are. And I do genuinely believe this is his doing. The owners have backed him with a lot of money and he will go after players valued at £60M+ and up with Trossard, Jorginho, and Sterling on loan.
It’s got to be him because he’s spent fortunes on Kai, Rice, etc., but seems to not always have a plan B, a bit like his tactics. Seeing us linked with Kimmich is a positive for me, because I think it suggests a level of pragmatism in that when Real Madrid come calling few refuse the call, so that is where Zubimendi is likely to end up.
If the summer sees us add Kimmich, Vlahovic/Osimehn then that will represent some fantastic business in my opinion, although it will still leave us horrible short. Realistically, this team needs 4 or 5 players across midfield and attack. Personally, I’d far rather get cheaper options such as Kimmich or Jonathan David if it means we are able to add more players to the squad and prevent a repeat of this season.
Kimmich is on 320k a week ,this will be his last big contract ,if we pay that then someone needs their head looked at .
Dan, don’t be surprised kimmich will be our first summer signing. Misplacement of priority!!
I have watched Bayern on a number of occasions this season and Kimmich has never stood out as a player who could be a game changer for Arsenal.Given the ludicrous wages he is on and his age, I would not contemplate signing him.
I’m surprised that this article is leaning towards Arteta. My recollections have been that Arteta is regarded as good not great. Now this depends on one’s interpretation of the word great but the impression I’m getting is that you are cutting him some slack because of the lack of ambition shown by the Kroenkes in the transfer market.
It’s common on JA to quote the money spent since Arteta’s arrival. Depending on your viewpoint, paying players not play and therefore , buying replacements has been cash ill spent. The Kroenkes have parted with money but certainly around 2021 they improved the board and better decisions were made on transfer targets and the league positions improved. I’m not sure how the was responsibility was shared between Arteta and Edu but the departure caught Arsenal unawares and in limbo.
I was very anti Kroenke but I don’t feel as badly towards them as you do Dan. You may be right of course about their lack of ambition
Don’t know why your surprised I’m one of the few who for years have said what the issue is .
I said it at the time , day Mr Wenger left we would regress and we have
great is like Pep or Sir Alex or Mr Wenger
2nd in the Prem is not great/ special but I can’t call it rubbish
So if he’s doing a good job but his owners are doing a poor job if I were him and lets say a top job came available I would jump
Your not winning title under these employers
Dan,
While I agree with you on the owners to an extent, for me Arteta is a big part of the problem also.
Because what is undeniable is that the owner’s have backed Arteta with lots of financial backing over the last 5 seasons, and some of his signings just didn’t make any sense to me at all.
For me he’s totally wasted a lot of the funds made available to him. To name just 5 players in my opinion. Kiwior, Havertz, Calafiori, Merino, Sterling (Loan), and there’s others to if we’re really honest.
Now you know amongst others and this may shock you😂, I’m not Arteta’s biggest fan. For which I’ve made my feelings very clear. But I’ve always said it, and I’ll say it again and again, until this man has gone. We will never win the League with him in charge, we just won’t.
I will gladly hold my hands up and eat humble pie if I’m wrong, but I’m totally convinced that I won’t ever be having to do that while he’s in charge of the club. 😉👍
When a coach believes that he can win EPL with Harvertz and Jesus as strikers, to me, that coach is dreaming. This is the third year running that the entire football world agreed that arsenal needed a quality goal scoring striker. Arteta and edu thought otherwise.
I feel like throwing up when some fans tries to absolve Arteta from blame. How can a serious coach sell nketia and Smith Rowe, loan out nelson and replace them with merino and sterling?
This nonsense can only happen in arsenal among the top 4 teams. Six years and I’ve £700 M gone, nothing to show for it except FA cup won by ” dead woods”.
Some of us, the Artetaout campaigners were not disappointed. We knew it would be story, story, story at end of the season.
Soon, Raya will play false nine, lol😂😂😂
Lets make it clear the mistake was ever giving Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah contracts in first place
Neither would make any difference at the moment
Doesn’t Eddie have like one Prem goal ?
I was told in summer he was better option then Mbappe lol
We can’t as a fan base in good faith say it was okay to pay for Ozil and Aubameuang to rip up contracts and finish 8th and 5th – call that progress and tell manager that’s good ( it wasn’t )
Then call out getting 30 million for one of the worse strikers in our Prem history
Dan, which striker could we have signed for £10.5m, which is the sum we paid Nketiah in wages for his new contract ?
You mean January if I had 10.5 million.?
No, no in June ’22 when he signed his new contract ?
I don’t understand the question?
I have to buy someone back them for 10.5 million who is better ?
It’s a weird argument mate
In my contract I get a months pay if I’m.sacked right , then holiday pay , advertising for the role , paying for new staff , training , DBS , etc
No company say he’s terrible at his job but let’s give him a pay rise because it will cost us allot to replace him ?