Mikel Arteta has overseen a huge upturn in Arsenal’s fortunes – aided by some huge investment in the squad – and is now under pressure to end a five-year wait for a trophy
Mikel Arteta has been told he simply has to deliver a trophy for Arsenal this season following a five-year wait for silverware. Ex-Premier League frontman Stan Collymore claims Arteta has “had it all his own way” with recruitment and now needs to repay that investment.
Not since the FA Cup in 2020 have the north London side won a trophy. They’ve endured several near misses and last term finished second in the Premier League for the third straight year. All that has come whilst they’ve spent millions on new players.
Over the past three summers, Arteta has signed the likes of Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi and Eberechi Eze. Arsenal now have the talent capable of delivering silverware and the pressure is on their head coach to ensure that happens.
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Collymore claims either the FA Cup or the Carabao Cup would see him “limp on” as their ambitions should be more aimed at claiming the English top flight or the Champions League for the first time in their history.
Collymore told 10bet Casino: “Does Arteta need to get his hand on silverware this season? Without a doubt. The pressure is on Mikel Arteta and Arsenal to win something.
“When I say win something, he’d be able to limp on if he won one or both League Cup and FA Cups, that would be taken as some kind of proof of a change. But really, he’s got to get his hands on the Premier League or the Champions League this season.
“With the amount of investment they’ve put into the squad, there’s no other option. You look at Unai Emery at Aston Villa and most of his team is made up of players bought by Dean Smith. Arteta on the other hand has had it all his own way. He’s brought in his players, some haven’t worked, and he’s decided who to let go.”
Arsenal’s new recruits have helped them win three of their four Premier League games so far, but they failed in their first big test up at Liverpool. Many called out Arteta for the way in which he set up his side, claiming they lacked the ability to take control of the contest before losing 1-0.
The Spaniard has led a huge revival at the Emirates having taken charge after Unai Emery’s sacking. He’s made them a force in England and in Europe but time is running out for him to put progress over trophies.
Collymore believes another year without any silverware may force the Gunners hierarchy into considering a change in the dugout. He said: “To be blunt, if Mikel Arteta doesn’t win the Premier League or the Champions League then, I think that Arsenal may look elsewhere because it’s been half a decade now. That was what managers used to get in the distant past, so Arteta is now well into that zone where it’s the time to deliver a major trophy.”
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
