Wenger shuts down on Arsenal return as he responds to Mikel Arteta sacking conversation
Mikel Arteta has Arsenal in “good form” with Arsene Wenger insisting he does not want to replace the Spaniard in the Gunners seat.
Arsenal are currently at the bottom of the Premier League after a miserable start. They lost all three games and scored nine unanswered goals in the process. It is leads to calls indicating time is already running out for Arteta’s reign.
Moreover, Arteta is under pressure after spending £ 144million on new players this summer. Those fees have left them among the top spenders of the summer in the Premier League.
They brought in Martin Odegaard, Ben White, and Aaron Ramsdale for high fees. They then ended the deadline day by get the signature of Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna.
And while Arsenal seem unlikely to reclaim that top-four spot everyone craves at the club, Wenger looks relaxed in the face of the situation.
Moreover, he insists that Arteta is moving Arsenal in the right direction despite claims he could be sacked.
“Today the club are in good shape,” said Wenger. Bild Live. “They had two difficult games [against Chelsea and Man City], the team has potential and I hope they can come back.
Arteta’s regime faces what is likely a game to win when they face Norwich after the international break. After that, they face Burnley and then face Tottenham in the North London Derby.
And a comeback of three wins can quickly turn things around for the Spaniard in the spotlight. Nonetheless, reports suggest that Arsenal owners have potential candidates in mind intervene if things do not improve.
Speculation has suggested that Wenger could be asked to return if Arteta is sacked. It’s not a thought the Frenchman entertains, however.
“I am 71 years old. I have given this club the best years of my life,” added Wenger. “Right now I’m just a fan,” he replied when asked to replace Arteta.
Although he appears to retain his support for Arsenal, expert and former Arsenal star Paul Merson insists Arteta is a man under increasing pressure. And he reckons he could lose his job by October if there are any signs of improvement.
“Mikel Arteta will have until the October international”, Merson commented. “If they haven’t done anything by then, he’ll be under pressure.
“Chelsea, Man City, would I expect Arsenal to beat them?” No. Is there a way to get beaten up by them? Yes, and the Man City game was not good.
Arteta reflects on Arsenal transfers
Arsenal were in action during the week when they beat Brentford 4-0 in a closed-door friendly at London Colney.
Two goals from Cédric Soares, one for Gabriel Magalhaes and one for Alexandre Lacazette ensured the victory.
And after the game, Arteta reflected on his club’s summer transfers.
“It was a really complicated market,” admitted Arteta.
“We had a lot of stuff to do, I think we had 16 or 17 deals in total, which is a lot. The club made a big effort.
“We had the support of the owners to try to do it and we had to recruit on the terms we could, and I’m very happy.”
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