Spaniard Mikel Arteta appears unable to learn from his mistakes. Has he forgotten the lessons of his first Premier League campaign, when his side lost to Southampton?
Has he already forgotten the 2–0 defeat to Aston Villa at the Emirates on 14 April 2024—a result that effectively handed the title to their rivals for the second consecutive season?
During the international break, with his defence no longer the fortress it once was and his attackers sidelined for weeks, what tangible steps did he take to address these issues?
Alongside Arteta, there are these…
Martin Zubimendi: the transfer ‘prank’ Arsenal fell for, even as Liverpool, Real Madrid and Barcelona chased him; unfortunately for them, he outshone all of them.
Ben White has been off the boil for some time; his dribbles are easier to contain than an Arsenal title challenge at the Emirates.
Declan Rice: A pale imitation of the dynamo he was in the first half of the campaign.
Miles Lewis Skilley might as well join Manchester United, because if he didn’t know why he hasn’t played for Arsenal all season, he certainly does now.
Noni Madueke: donning a headscarf does not make you Ronaldinho; the 46-year-old Brazilian would have outshone you today.
Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard could follow Skilly out the exit at the first chance.
With that in mind, study the remaining fixtures and hope Chelsea down Manchester City tomorrow. Yet history shows that sides who fail to capitalise on such chances rarely deserve silverware.
City could still beat Chelsea, narrowing the gap to three points, then host Arsenal next and level the tally if they win. That stark reality suggests Arteta’s time at the Emirates may already be up.