Arsenal information: Mikel Arteta handed sack warning as star fears key tactic ‘tougher’
Mikel Arteta is facing an increasing sack warning following Arsenal’s Premier League title race struggles, with the pressure only building on the Spaniard if he fails to win silverware this season
Mikel Arteta needs to turn Arsenal’s form around
Following defeat to Bournemouth that left Arsenal’s once commanding title race advantage under threat, Gunners manager Mikel Arteta has faced increased criticism. He has an opportunity to bounce back against Sporting CP on Wednesday.
Arsenal secured a 1-0 victory over Sporting in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final last week. Should they finish the job on home turf, it could provide them with momentum ahead of what appears to be a Premier League title decider away to Manchester City at the weekend.
While some players have recovered from recent injury problems, others remain uncertain and several were absent from the latest training session. Here, the Daily Star Sport looks at the latest Arsenal news.
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Set-piece struggles
Arsenal defender Gabriel has conceded that it’s becoming increasingly difficult for the team to capitalise on their set-piece prowess as opponents become more wise to their tactics. The centre-back and his team-mates enjoyed considerable success from set pieces in the first half of the season, but it hasn’t been smooth sailing since the New Year, delivering a harsh reality check in the title race.
“Yes, of course, it’s getting more and more difficult because when I arrive in the box often there will be two players coming to mark me,” Gabriel revealed to club media. “That’s really good for us though, because as I say, it’s not only me who’s going to score. It opens up spaces for the others and they can all score too.
“Whenever I go forward for a free-kick or a corner, I know it’s a big chance for us. I put that thought in my head: ‘I can score this one.’ It’s my mentality at every single corner.”
Arteta handed sack warning
Ex-Premier League striker Chris Sutton believes Mikel Arteta’s position could be under threat if Arsenal fail to win a trophy this season. Sutton suggested that, while he doesn’t think Arsenal will have choked by not securing the league title, some supporters may view it differently and the price of not winning the title for Arteta could be his job.
“I do think he has a problem if he doesn’t get over the line in the Premier League or the Champions League,” Sutton said on the Monday Night Club. “I think it changes the landscape and the way Arsenal fans will view him, because he’s been there long enough…”
He added: “If he (Arteta) doesn’t have the support of the Arsenal fans then that’s when a decision will need to be made. So I do think it’s make-or-break for him in terms of they have to win either the Premier League or Champions League or I think he’ll be a goner.”
