Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has seen his achievements with Arsenal boosted after Seeing Red hosts discuss the broader context of Enzo Maresca and Ruben Amorim's sackings
06:00, 06 Jan 2026
Mikel Arteta has witnssed the sacking of Ruben Amorim, Enzo Maresca and plenty of other Premier League managers during his tenure.
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Mikel Arteta has witnssed the sacking of Ruben Amorim, Enzo Maresca and plenty of other Premier League managers during his tenure.(Image: Joao Rico/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Chelsea have sacked Enzo Maresca. Manchester United have sacked Ruben Amorim.
Arsenal, meanwhile, continue to chug along happily with Mikel Arteta, who was afforded time through rough periods and as a result, now as manager, is seeing the fruit of such labours and competing once again for the Premier League title.
It raises questions about the strategy of both clubs who are changing their managers yet again with Arteta in around double digits of different Chelsea and Man Utd head coaches he has faced with Arsenal during his six years-plus in charge.
With that in mind, it was naturally a big topic of discussion for our Seeing Red podcast hosts Tom Canton and John Cross. As well as live reaction on the show to the sacking of Amorim, the wins over Aston Villa and Bournemouth were discussed in the latest episode, alongside the setback Manchester City experienced against Chelsea.
Yet the topic of structures and the head coach vs manager position were key throughout the show. Canton and Cross gave their views on how Arteta has changed the landscape of how managers are assessed at this level, but how much that even matters, depending on the club and the structure.
“It makes you think, doesn't it, that Arsenal are in a very stable position and have a great opportunity and they've got a manager they're stuck with. But it does make you think, doesn't it?” Cross asked.
“We go back to this, and a lot of managers make this point. It took Arsenal and Arteta a long time to get it right, but it's worth the investment of time, backing, and support. I think that's the only way that you can ever come out the other side as, you know, a really strong, stable club.”
Canton replied: “Yeah, I do feel that Arteta has almost been a bit of a villain to these other sides in terms of them making them want to stick initially with a manager that shouldn't stay too long. But at the same time, it's a really good example of if you get the right man in and you give them time, that you can have great...
“Because easily, Arsenal could have gotten rid of Arteta in the early points of his tenure, finishing eighth twice, then fifth, missing out on Champions League qualification, losing to Unai Emery's Villarreal in the Europa League semi-final.
“All of these things could have just made Arsenal go, ‘I don't think he's the right... I don't think he's got it. I don't think he's going to be able to take it.’
“But they recognised that he didn't have the resources that he needed to compete at the level that he needed to. The team needed to be overhauled. The squad needed to be changed.
“And actually, I think when you look at the recruitment at Chelsea, the recruitment at Manchester United, that's really what's been the downfall of those two managers. It's not been effective enough. They've not improved their teams enough.
“They've not necessarily had the control that Arteta has had in that recruitment. And maybe that's the area. It's all well and good giving a manager time.
“But if they haven't got the influence that they need at a club to make the right decisions for them and their team, that they would arguably know better than anybody else at the club because they're the ones managing or coaching them, that it's not going to get the result that you need.”
Cross agreed and added: “No, it is interesting. And we relate this, don't we, to Amorim a bit, but there's no doubt about it. I do think when Arteta first arrived it was obvious that he was going to be good and really had enjoyed that relative success of turning Arsenal around.
“If you remember, he definitely wanted to make a play to be manager rather than head coach. And I do think that at that point, and I think it's obvious that he's had a big say in Andrea Berta’s [appointment], for example, because that's how he sees it and I think relating it to Amorim is very interesting in that basically managers always want the final say.
“Managers want all-consuming power. It's sometimes different, but I think if you are clear in what you want and also what you've been promised, then you have to stick to those principles. Well, you know, it's so interesting with Arteta in that he had the lowest point arguably when they lose at home to Burnley.
“And that was kind of in semi-COVID times, wasn't it? Full Arsenal crowd in there might've been baying for blood, but Arsenal were in a position where they didn't have the fans kind of doing that. And, you know, they're able to stick with the manager.”
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The question is now who will replace Amorim and how will Liam Rosenior end up doing with Chelsea? The answer might come sooner than some might like but the reality for the Gunners is they will continue to chase down the Premier League title.
If you would like to watch to the full episode of Seeing Red you can do so on our YouTube channel or listen back to the audio version at any of the big podcast platforms.
Welcome to 'Seeing Red' - our new Arsenal podcast
We've launched a new Arsenal podcast 'Seeing Red' with chief football writer John Cross and Arsenal reporter Tom Canton.
Each week, they will dive deep into the biggest topics as they follow Mikel Arteta's side every step of the way - and will also discuss nostalgic flashbacks before each fixture.
It's a great time to be an Arsenal fan, with the Gunners flying high under Arteta as they look to win silverware this season.
The North Londoners are going strong in the Premier League and Champions League - and they're also in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
We'll provide insight and reaction - and have fun along the way - as Arsenal target the biggest trophies this season.
No stone will be left unturned. VAR controversy? Poor performances? Unsung hero who deserves praise? Fixture chaos? We'll have it all covered.
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