Mirror Football takes a look at what's been going on behind the scenes at Arsenal in the past few days
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta attends a press conference at Sobha Realty Training Centre on August 15, 2025 in London Colney, England.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has made an admission about his future(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Six years have now passed since Mikel Arteta took the huge leap to take over as Arsenal boss without any prior experience as a head coach. It’s fair to say the former midfielder and captain has transformed the club, from one in decline both on and off the pitch to title contenders.
Yet, despite all he has done to position the Gunners among England and Europe’s elite, question marks remain over both his and his players’ ability to get over the line, having finished second in the Premier League in three consecutive seasons.
Arteta will be determined to put an end to those questions this term as the festive period ramps up with games coming thick and fast, as well as a potentially useful January transfer window on the horizon.
Arteta on future
Arteta admits he can’t give his players any guarantees about his future at the moment. With 18 months left on his contract, fans remain anxious over their manager’s future until he puts pen to paper.
It seems some of his players may also share those concerns as they enter contract talks with the club themselves, with Bukayo Saka being one of the players whose deal is set to expire in the summer of 2027.
When asked whether he would stay beyond his current deal, the Spaniard responded: “Yes, but it is about today and a lot of things have to happen in the next few months, as well, to earn the right.
Bukayo Saka reacts
The likes of Bukayo Saka will be wondering whether Arteta will stay on
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“I think the manager has to earn the right to be here tomorrow. That is how you react, how you talk here, how you go in the dressing room, the message that you send, how much the players follow you.”
He went on to add: “They [Arsenal stars] do ask me but I can not lie to them. I don’t know, it is something that does not depend on me.
“Are you really happy here? Do you feel that you have the energy and you feel you can take this club? Yes. One hundred per cent, yes. But I think it does not depend only on me.”
Double transfer swoop
Ayyoub Bouaddi of France looks on after the draw at the end of the UEFA Under-21 EURO qualifying match between Switzerland and France at Stade de la Tuiliere on November 14, 2025 in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Ayyoub Bouaddi has been linked with Arsenal
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Reports claim Arsenal are planning a double transfer swoop in the January window. The Gunners were tipped for a quiet January due to their huge spending in the summer.
But CaughtOffside claims the north Londoners are concerned about injuries and squad depth as they eye an elusive Premier League title, leading sporting director Andrea Berta to look at options in the transfer market.
The two positions reportedly on his agenda are central defence and central midfield. Rennes’ 20-year-old starlet Jeremy Jacquet is a highly-rated name which has been mentioned as a potential January arrival, while Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi is expected to leave as a free agent in the summer.
Other defensive options include Sporting CP’s Ousmane Diomande and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Nathaniel Brown. Meanwhile, Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi is seen as a prodigious talent in central midfield, leading the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United to keep track of the 18-year-old.
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