‘Mikel Arteta openly disliked by staff at Arsenal rivals’
Mikel Arteta has quickly become a controversial figure in charge at Arsenal, and the situation has been made even worse by his comments after being knocked out of the Champions League.
It was a tough night at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday, 7 May, as goals from Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi put the game out of sight for the Gunners and booting them out of the tournament.
Bukayo Saka‘s goal with 15 minutes left to play revived some hope of an incredible comeback, but it was PSG who advanced to the final, with Arsenal fans calling for Arteta’s head following the defeat.
Despite scoring just once across the two legs, the 43-year-old was adamant that his team deserved to advance to the final, even despite Luis Enrique’s side setting both legs alight with trickery and talent.
Premier League supporters take joy from Arsenal defeat
According to Miguel Delaney in The Independent (8 May), members of staff at opposing clubs “openly dislike” the Spaniard as it is, with a certain “glee” highlighted among the public after Arsenal’s disappointment in the Champions League.
It is understood that some of that is due to the manager’s behaviour, whose pre-match comments riled a large portion of Liverpool supporters after suggesting their Premier League title was possibly overhyped.
Although PSG and Enrique were complimentary of the Gunners, there is a perception that Arteta is in denial, even delusional, after suggesting that his side were the better team at the Parc des Princes.
| PSG | Arsenal |
| 46% possession | 54% possession |
| 11 shots (6 on target) | 19 shots (4 on target) |
| 2 big chances | 4 big chances |
| 11 fouls committed | 11 fouls committed |
| 2 corners | 6 corners |
Mikel Arteta is feeling the heat in North London
Football Insider verdict
Many fans were quick to blame Martin Odegaard for Arsenal’s downfall against the Ligue 1 champions, but with plenty of chances created, it was clearly the lack of a No.9 that caused the most issues.
Mikel Merino was trusted as a centre-forward once again, with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus still stuck on the sidelines, and few players were able to make their chances count at the crucial moment.
With Andrea Berta now appointed to help with transfers ahead of the summer window, the hope is that an out-and-out striker will be secured ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Football Insider understands that Viktor Gyokeres is still on Arsenal’s radar, but may have already lost that race to Man United and Ruben Amorim, mainly thanks to the latter’s relationship with the forward.
As for Arteta, if he is unable to live up to his words in the media and bring a piece of silverware back to the Emirates very soon, his time with the Gunners could be coming to an abrupt end.