‘No excuse’ – Mikel Arteta handed sack warning ahead of make-or-break Arsenal campaign
Mikel Arteta has been warned he has ‘no excuses’ not to deliver a major trophy with Arsenal this season.
The Gunners have finished second in each of the last three Premier League seasons, while they’ve barely come close to winning a piece of major silverware since their 2019/20 FA Cup triumph — with two EFL Cup semi-finals and last four appearances in the Champions League and Europa League their best return during that time.
But in a bid to put that right, Arsenal have spent lavishly this summer. Viktor Gyokeres is the jewel in the crown, finally ending the club’s long search for a clinical No.9, but he’s been joined through the door by the likes of Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke and Cristhian Mosquera.
Of course, that level of transfer activity brings a new level of pressure for Arteta, especially in light of his recent near misses in the title race.
Mikel Arteta given trophy warning
Arsenal begin their 2025/26 Premier League campaign away at Manchester United on Sunday, while they face title rivals Liverpool and Manchester City within the opening five games.
Even so, nothing less than a victory on Sunday and a strong run to start the season will be accepted by Arsenal fans, who are demanding a Premier League title this season.
According to former Gunners winger Jermaine Pennant, Arteta is out of excuses in his search to deliver another trophy for Arsenal following their summer recruitment drive.
“It clearly shows that trusting the process is no longer trusting,” Pennant told talkSPORT (15 August) when asked what another trophyless season could mean for Arteta.
“This will be his sixth season. He won an FA Cup, which was [with] Unai Emery’s team.
“He’s now got the striker that they’ve all been crying out for. He’s added in other areas. There’s literally no excuse, now, to not win some sort of silverware.”
Arsenal not finished in the market yet
While Arsenal’s summer business has been impressive, they don’t appear to be done yet.
Eberechi Eze continues to be linked to the Emirates Stadium following his superb exploits in helping Crystal Palace win the FA Cup last season – as well as the Community Shield last week.
However, Football Insider transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke has revealed that North London rivals Tottenham currently have the edge in the race to sign the England international (15 August).
Arsenal need to offload some squad players before they can seriously push for Eze, with Leandro Trossard and Reiss Nelson among those up for sale.
Trossard is attracting attention from Aston Villa, while Nelson could return to Fulham after spending the 2024/25 season on loan there.
However, there is a chance the Cottagers could abandon their move for Nelson as they line up a swoop for Shakhtar Donetsk winger Kevin.
Arsenal will be hoping for a swift solution to Nelson’s future in order to free up funds to beat Spurs to the signing of Eze – whose pedigree would only serve to strengthen their title claim.