In December 2019, Mikel Arteta took over as Arsenal manager, replacing Unai Emery, who was sacked earlier that month. Arteta, previously an assistant coach at Manchester City, signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with the Gunners at the time. The Spanish coach, in his first full-time role since becoming a coach, came in with his fresh and bold ideas, plus a strong desire to bring the club back to its glory days.
Over the years, Arteta has won an FA Cup and a couple of Community Shields, transformed the team’s identity, brought through exciting young players, and restored hope to a fanbase that had grown weary of underachievement.
Arsenal tickets have also seen a rise in demand over recent seasons, owing to the Gunners’ improved performances. One thing remains lacking though.
The club has gone five years without silverware, and that begs the question whether the upcoming 2025-26 season will be Arteta’s last season at the Emirates if he fails to deliver a title. This piece aims to offer some insights into why the former midfielder could be in his final season in North London.
Pressure to Deliver a Major Trophy
Mikel Arteta has done a great job of keeping the Gunners competitive in the Premier League over the years. Arsenal have shown great improvement since he came on board, with results against the big six much better. However, Arsenal are still far behind in the trophy collection race over the past five years.
In Arteta’s last season, 2024-25, Newcastle United and Crystal Palace finished with the League Cup and FA Cup victories, while Tottenham ended a barren run of 17 years when they defeated Manchester United to claim the Europa League and book their spot in next season’s Champions League.
On the other hand, the Gunners finished second again in the Premier League, while they were dumped out at the semifinal stages of the League Cup and the UEFA Champions League. In the FA Cup, Mikel Arteta’s side fell at the first hurdle to Manchester United at the Emirates. In the past five years, the Gunners have not reached a major final, and that is a big headache for a lot of the fans of the club.
While Arteta has undoubtedly improved the team’s playing style and competitiveness, Arsenal are still chasing the big prizes — the Premier League and the Champions League. However, football is a results business, and near-success is not enough forever.
In addition, Arteta continues to get the backing of the club in the transfer market, and they handed him a new deal in 2024 until 2027. However, if Arsenal finish another season without silverware — especially with the amount of money spent and the talent in the squad – questions will naturally arise about whether Arteta is the man to take the club to the promised land.
At this point, Arteta needs any trophy to at least buy himself some time before the big ones arrive. He also needs that to keep getting the backing of the fans to continue to lead the club.
Sky Sports pundit and former Arsenal player, Paul Merson, issued a stark warning to Arteta back in May 2025, stating that the manager must guide Arsenal to a top-two position by Christmas or the club will seek a replacement.
“This Arsenal team is a good team, but you’ve got to go and win something,” Merson told Sky Sports. “However, it’s 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 didn’t, and Man City went perfect.
“Arteta has got until Christmas. They will have to be in the top two at Christmas to keep on going.
“He’s got to be in the top two by Christmas or they’ll go for someone else. It’s all about timing. You’ve got to make opportunities. When it is your time, you’ve got to make it count.”
Competition Is Getting Tougher
The Premier League gets tougher every season. After Liverpool won the title last season, they have already hit the market to strengthen the squad, while Manchester City have also made some quality additions, and Chelsea have also done some business in readiness for the 2025-26 season. Newcastle and Aston Villa are rising. Everything points to another tough campaign where the challenge is going to be fierce.
As things stand for Arsenal, they are no longer just trying to win — they’re trying to do it in an environment where margins are razor thin. Even with a good season, finishing 3rd or 4th might not be enough. If Arsenal fall behind again in the title race or suffer an early Champions League exit, it could accelerate talks of a change in leadership.
The Risk of Losing the Dressing Room
Everything is tied to this season for Arteta and many senior players in the squad. Arteta has been the teacher for the last five years, and with the boys reaching their potential, the lack of success might see some departures if this season does not work out well.
So far, Arteta has been able to maintain a good relationship with the players currently at his disposal. But modern dressing rooms can be complex, and players who once bought into the manager’s message can begin to drift if results don’t match the effort. If signs of unrest or disconnection begin to pop up — especially from senior players — it could lead to a break in rank, and spell doom.
It Could End on a High
Having explored the options of things going south, the stars could align for the Gunners. In addition, not all managerial exits are messy or forced. If Arsenal win a major trophy in 2025/26 — say, the Premier League or Champions League — Arteta might decide it’s the perfect time to bow out on a high.
Like Jürgen Klopp or Zinedine Zidane, who left clubs at the peak of their success, Arteta might feel it’s best to go while his reputation is intact and his achievements are still fresh in memory.
Conclusion: Arteta’s Last Season at Arsenal?
Undoubtedly, Mikel Arteta has restored belief at Arsenal and brought them back to the top table of European football. But as the 2025/26 season nears, there’s a quiet tension building.
The next ten months could define his entire Arsenal legacy. Will he finally deliver the ultimate prize and deliver Arsenal a Premier League trophy, or will the project reach its natural end? Whatever happens, it’s clear this season holds massive significance — and it might just be Arteta’s last dance in North London.
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