Arsenal information: Mikel Arteta ‘maintaining secret’ as potential substitute speaks out on plan
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta faces scrutiny as Cesc Fabregas addresses speculation with the Gunners aiming for Premier League and Champions League glory
Mikel Arteta is under great scrutiny at Arsenal
Mikel Arteta has never faced such intense scrutiny at Arsenal despite progressing to a Champions League semi-final.
Following consecutive losses that saw the Gunners crash out of both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, the manager’s Premier League title ambitions are now also under threat. The 2-1 home reverse against Bournemouth last week did nothing to ease fears that Arsenal’s campaign may be falling apart at the crucial moment – precisely as it has in previous seasons under the Spaniard.
Sunday’s league trip to Manchester City represents the season’s most pivotal encounter, with defeat potentially cutting the gap to second-placed City – who also have a game in hand – to merely three points. Speculation has already begun over whether Arteta will remain if the Gunners fail to end their 22-year wait for a league title this term. Yet a 0-0 draw at home with Sporting CP after a 1-0 win away in Portugal was enough to earn a tie against Atletico Madrid in club football’s most prestigious competition. Here’s all the latest news from the Emirates.
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Mikel Arteta ‘keeping secret’
Ex-Norwegian striker Steffen Iversen has suggested Arsenal might be concealing the real extent of Martin Odegaard’s persistent knee injury, reports the Mirror.
The Gunners skipper has been in and out of the team throughout the season due to various fitness issues. The most severe injury has been a knee complaint he initially picked up against West Ham back in October, which forced the Norwegian from the pitch.
Having made his comeback in late November, Odegaard was once more unable to carry on against Brentford due to a knee concern in February.
The persistent issue has sidelined him for the bulk of fixtures since, with the 27-year-old seldom managing to feature in back-to-back matches.
This has sparked worries about the real severity of his knee complaint from outside observers, with former Tottenham forward Iversen suggesting there might be more to the circumstances than what Arteta reveals publicly in press briefings.
He told Dagbladet: “It depends on what’s going on inside the knee. We on the outside don’t get to know everything.
“They always keep something secret. It could be things that aren’t good. Then he’s come back. It feels okay. And yet, it’s not quite right after all.”
Cesc Fabregas sends message
Cesc Fabregas has offered an insight into his future at Como by emphasising his dedication to the Italian outfit.
The former Arsenal skipper has transformed their prospects since becoming permanent boss in 2024, having previously represented the club, served as caretaker manager and then worked as assistant coach.
With Como currently sitting fifth in Serie A and potentially securing Champions League football next season, Fabregas’ promising start to management has captured the interest of numerous European clubs.
Unsurprisingly, he has been linked as a possible future boss at both English sides he played for during his career – Chelsea and Arsenal. Some have even suggested the Spaniard could succeed Arteta.
Arteta is understood to be in discussions with the Arsenal board regarding fresh terms, despite speculation that he faces the sack should they surrender the Premier League title this campaign.
However, Fabregas recently confessed he doesn’t anticipate departing Como this summer, as things stand. He said: “I am very committed to this project. You never know but right now I think it’s very unlikely I’ll leave Como.
“Last year, I wanted to see how other clubs operated. I mentioned it to the president, but I decided to stay. I’m very happy with what we’ve been able to achieve.”
As quoted by the Metro, Fabregas added: “This is an important project. I need to feel good here. It’s important that my family is happy, and if they’re happy in Como, I’ll stay.”
Discussing whether he might manage the Italian national side in years to come, Fabregas said: “Maybe someday. Right now, I’m too much of a coach and I need to be on the pitch every day.
“Being the national team coach right now might be boring, too much free time. In the future, when I’m older, you never know.”
