Mikel Arteta has been informed by Stan and Josh Kroenke that his job is not critically at risk but that major change is needed to guarantee his future at the club, sources close to Arsenal Central report.
After the 2019/20 season ended with the Gunners lifting the FA Cup for the 12th time after a 2-1 win over Chelsea in the final, it seemed like things were looking up for the North Londoners.
Fast forward to December 2020 however and it seems as though Arsenal fans are going to be quite bleak over Christmas and the New Year but the major positive is that despite a few baffling decisions, Mikel Artera need not worry about being fired when he opens his gifts on the 25th.
Arsenal Central sources understand that Arteta has been told by the Kroenkes that his job is safe for the time being and that he will be given time to work through what is clearly a difficult patch for Arsenal Football Club.
Arsenal are 15th in the Premier League, just five points above the relegation zone and face Southampton, Everton and Chelsea before the New Year and while things could still get worse for the Gunners, senior figures at the club see Arteta as having the ability to turn things around.
While results aren’t going their way, there is at least the sense that it’s a case of Arteta signing players with the tools to play his preferred style of play before judgement can be passed.
Only four teams in the Premier League have conceded fewer goals than Arsenal this season but despite their defensive improvement, they are struggling for goals and have been outscored by 16 of the 19 other sides in the division.
This is damning when you consider the only teams that have scored fewer than Arsenal are Sheffield United (5), Burnley (6) and West Brom (9). Each of these sides is in the bottom four and face relegation this season.
It’s unclear what Arteta can do to improve his side’s attacking fortunes but the Spaniard needs to act fast to ensure this season doesn’t go from disappointing to massively concerning.
