Mikel Arteta has been told he has ‘a lot’ riding on Arsenal’s results in the coming weeks when it comes to his new contract at the club.
Arteta has been in discussions with Arsenal over a new deal, but David Ornstein has revealed that this new agreement is likely to be decisively shaped by what the Gunners can produce on the field.
For so long this term, the North London side looked capable of sweeping to a quadruple, yet they have seen the FA Cup and Carabao Cup escape them, while a healthy lead in the Premier League could soon vanish if they lose a crunch weekend fixture against Manchester City. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid lie in wait in the Champions League semi-finals.
Ornstein on Arteta’s Arsenal future
If the two major trophies escape the Emirates side, this will naturally lead to questions over the mental strength that Arteta is instilling in his squad, with the Spaniard having only won the 2020 FA Cup since arriving at the club.
And Ornstein says this would make any renewal discussions awkward.
Asked in a Q&A for The Athletic if there’s a scenario in which Arsenal might have a new manager next season, he replied: “I’m sure Arsenal want Arteta to continue into next season and beyond (he’s contracted until June 2027 at present), while it sounds from Arteta’s own words as though he wants the same.
“If things go badly for them between now and the summer, I’m sure there will be some very difficult conversations and it would be naive of me to say I can’t see a world in which he departs – nothing surprises you in football and (for various reasons) I would say that about pretty much every Premier League club at the moment. So, the intention is clear – but obviously there is a lot riding on the weeks ahead.”
Arteta’s future in his hands
FootballTransfers’ information is that Arteta will not be sacked by Arsenal, regardless of the outcome of the Premier League and Champions League.
If he were to leave the club this summer, it would be via a resignation, which is a possibility not entirely ruled out in the worst-case scenario.
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