LAURA WOODS: ARTETA’S FUTURE ISN’T IN DOUBT
ARTETA’S FUTURE DOESN’T HINGE ON TITLE WIN
I don’t think Mikel Arteta’s future is in doubt but I do think serious questions will be asked about how things managed to slip if this team doesn’t win any silverware at all.
There will certainly be a section of the fan base that will want a change because it will feel like a mentality problem.
I think some players look absolutely knackered – it’s a gruelling schedule, but I don’t think that’s an excuse. Arsenal started the season with two players in every position and they’ve had one of the strongest squads in Europe let alone the Premier League.
There’s no getting around how much of a disappointment this would be if Arsenal don’t win the Premier League after being in such a commanding position.
I also thought Arsenal played really well against Manchester City. It showed Mikel is an excellent manager, and I personally would like him to stay whatever happens.
I think Arteta's job will be looked at as a whole – not just one competition.
But yes, of course silverware of any kind would save Arsenal's season. I don’t think the league is over yet, though.
You have to look at what Arteta has done as a whole and I believe the club has continued to improve. He’s still in the Champions League semi-finals – Arsenal have never done that back-to-back.
They might be smaller margins than the fan base would like, but they are still improvements each season.
MANCHESTER CITY JANUARY SIGNINGS COULD PROVE DIFFERENCE
Manchester City haven’t had the perfect season. They’ve dropped points in places we didn’t expect them to and it’s just that they look so strong at the moment it’s hard to imagine they will again.
They also had a brilliant January window. Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo have been exactly what they needed and they’ve slotted in seamlessly.
In contrast, some of Arsenal's players have looked weary in the second half of the season. City got that injection of talent and energy at the perfect time and they’ve hunted Arsenal down.
It’s Pep Guardiola’s speciality, but I don’t think it’s done. I think there are more twists still to come in the final games so I couldn’t say who I think will win it at the moment!
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
