Paul Merson thinks Mikel Arteta has until Christmas to prove he is the right manager for Arsenal after another trophyless season at the Emirates Stadium.. Declan Rices second-half strike fired Arsenal to a 1-0 win over Newcastle on Super Sunday and confirmed their place in the Champions League next season.
However, the Gunners failed to launch a serious Premier League title challenge to Liverpool this season and are set to finish runners-up in the league for a third consecutive campaign. They were also eliminated in the semi-finals of both the Champions League and Carabao Cup with Arsenals trophy drought extended into a fifth year, and former Gunner Merson delivered a stark warning for Arteta should he not end Arsenals run without a trophy next season.
Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle – Match report and highlightsAs it happened | Teams | Match statsLive Premier League table | Watch PL highlights for freeNot got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW 📺80% of all televised Premier League games next season are on Sky SportsThis Arsenal team is a good team but youve got to go and win something, Merson told Sky Sports.
However, its not easy. Every time you get to the latter stages, they go. I know people will say they were ruthless last year and they just got it wrong once against Aston Villa, but they did put their foot wrong.
All they had to do was be patient and win the game, but they didnt and Man City went perfect. Its not as easy as people think to win something and Arsenal keep falling short. Sometimes people fall short and it just becomes normal.
Thats a worry. He added: Arteta has got until Christmas. They will have to be in the top two at Christmas to keep on going. If you get to four [seasons], you cant [keep going]. People want to come to Arsenal so its not like theyre scratching to get players – and theyve got the money.
Hes got to be in the top two by Christmas or theyll go for someone else. Its all about timing. Youve got to make opportunities. When it is your time, youve got to make it count. Redknapp: Second not good enoughSky Sports Jamie Redknapp believes this season has been a huge miss for Arsenal and Arteta after a second-placed finish behind Liverpool in the league.
Theres progression in a lot of aspects at Arsenal but I have no doubt they will see this as the big miss, he said on Super Sunday. This is the biggest miss of all because Man City have lost nine matches this season.
If youd have said that was going to happen this season, youd have said there was only one contender and that was Arsenal. To not get closer to Liverpool, the performances havent been good enough. Theres been an over-reliance on set pieces and the quality hasnt been good enough.
They need a killer in front of goal. Of the front three, youd only have confidence in Bukayo Saka taking the chance. Thats been the difference because Liverpool have four finishers. Its an area they will definitely address this summer.
You can dress it up positively if you want but second again, its not good enough for Arsenal. Sky Sports to show 215 live PL games from next season From next season, Sky Sports Premier League coverage will increase from 128 matches to at least 215 games exclusively live.
And 80 per cent of all televised Premier League games next season are on Sky Sports.