Credit: Imago

Callum O'Connell

Mon 6 April 2026 14:14, UK

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Mikel Arteta has warned failure to win a trophy at Arsenal this season could ramp up the calls for his dismissal amid growing frustrations.

Arteta is not currently at risk of being sacked by the Gunners and has plenty of credit in the bank for the progress they have made since his appointment in

However, two high-profile cup exits in consecutive games against Man City and Southampton have raised concerns in the closing stages of the season.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Arteta must deliver trophies to ease any pressure and cannot afford to let their form slip.

Ahead of a crucial Champions League tie against Sporting CP and the closing stages of the league season, the Arsenal manager is under pressure and must come up with results.

Could Arsenal sack Mikel Arteta?

Brown told Football Insider in January that Arteta will face serious questions at Arsenal if they fail to win the Premier League or Champions League this season.

The Gunners are currently nine points clear at the top of the Premier League, but Man City have a game in hand, and the two clubs will face off later this month.

A defeat to Man City on 19 April, assuming they win all other games, would see the gap cut to just three points and the pressure piled on Arteta.

“Nerves are going to be high at Arsenal after that FA Cup defeat,” Brown told Football Insider.

“They lost in the League Cup final, now they’re out of the FA Cup, so the trophies on offer to them have gone from four to two in just two games.

“They’re still in pole position for the Premier League title, but the game against Man City is looming in the distance, and all of a sudden doubts are beginning to creep in.

“Man City’s form is improving while Arsenal’s is very questionable at the moment.

“If results start to slip in the Premier League and Man City do what they do best and keep winning games, that lead they’ve got at the moment won’t be there for long.

“Then, it ramps up the pressure on Arteta, because he must deliver trophies for Arsenal in the near future if he wants to avoid questions being asked.

“They get themselves into great positions every year but manage to throw it away, and that’s when fingers start to get pointed at the manager.

“I’m not suggesting there’s any inkling he could be sacked, but if they don’t win the league from this position, that talk is going to grow.”

Arteta concerns grow as Arsenal injury list expands

Part of the growing concerns surrounding the end of the season at Arsenal comes from their ever-expanding list of injuries to first-team players.

Brown told Football Insider on 30 March that Arteta is concerned about his Arsenal stars after 11 players returned from international duty with knocks.

The likes of Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Piero Hincapie all missed the defeat to Southampton in what came as a major blow to their chances.

While the Gunners are hopeful that they will not be ruled out long-term, Arteta has so far refused to place any return timeline on his injured stars.

Should they be ruled out for longer than expected, Arsenal’s form may continue to stutter, and questions over their success this season will continue to be asked.