Arsenal lost their fourth league home game in succession on Sunday night
Things go from bad to worse for Mikel Arteta. Sunday’s defeat to Burnley – helped by a moment of madness from Granit Xhaka and a match-deciding Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang own-goal – has left Arsenal 15th in the Premier League table, a mere five points from the relegation zone.
The result was enough for some of the 2,000 spectators allowed into The Emirates to boo Arsenal off the field at full-time. Elsewhere, there were calls for Arteta to be replaced – perhaps even by Mauricio Pochettino.
While nobody expected the Spaniard to have Arsenal playing like 2011 Barcelona so soon into his tenure, there are, it seems, genuine concerns as to what might happen if he is given the time many think he still deserves.
Along with their worrying performances, it’s now being reported that the Spaniard’s relationship with some of his senior players has soured in recent weeks.
As well as Xhaka being unhappy at being made to play in numerous positions at the club, a report by Football.London suggests Arteta’s relationship with David Luiz has broken down to the extent the pair haven’t spoken directly to one another in a matter of weeks.
The same report adds that the Brazilian defender’s representatives have rejected such claims, making clear Luiz enjoys a good relationship with his manager.
Even so, the feeling that all is not well off the field, as well as on it, is clear. The same report states that some members of the Arsenal squad were unhappy at the way Arteta publicly criticised Nicolas Pepe for his sending off during the game with Leeds earlier in the month. All this, as well as Arteta’s decision to omit Mesut Ozil from the squad, doesn’t exactly paint a picture of squad harmony.
Arsenal host high-flying Southampton in their next league outing, before taking on Everton at Goodison Park. Should they fail to win those games, the club’s decision-makers may well have to take action.
