Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is under mounting scrutiny after defeat to Bournemouth put their Premier League title lead in danger
05:00, 15 Apr 2026
LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - APRIL 14: Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta during the Arsenal Press Conference at Sobha Realty Training Centre on April 14, 2026 in London Colney, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Mikel Arteta faces a huge few days with Arsenal(Image: David Price, Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal's once commanding title race advantage is now coming under threat after defeat to Bournemouth opened the door to challengers Manchester City, leaving Gunners manager Mikel Arteta facing increasing pressure. He has an opportunity to restore momentum against Sporting CP on Wednesday, though it's worth noting that one of the side's most potent assets has been less effective in recent weeks.
Arsenal secured a 1-0 victory over Sporting in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final last week. Should they finish the job at home, it could provide crucial confidence ahead of a huge weekend trip to the Etihad Stadium.
While certain players have recovered from recent fitness problems, several stars were absent from the latest training session. The list of those missing includes Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and captain Martin Odegaard, with uncertainty over their respective return dates.
Arsenal had a quadruple within reach before back-to-back domestic cup defeats but could now finish the campaign without any silverware whatsoever. Here are our latest updates, including what such an outcome might mean for Arteta.
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Gabriel's set-piece admission
Arsenal defender Gabriel has conceded that opponents are taking new measures in an effort to neutralise the side's set-piece prowess. The centre-back and his colleagues enjoyed considerable success from dead-ball situations during the first half of the campaign but it's proved tougher of late to leave the Gunners' title race advantage blunted.
"Yes, of course, it's getting more and more difficult because when I arrive in the box often there will be two players coming to mark me," the Brazilian told club media. "That's really good for us though, because as I say, it's not only me who's going to score. It opens up spaces for the others and they can all score too.
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 11: Kai Havertz of Arsenal and Gabriel of Arsenal compete for the ball from corner during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium on April 11, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
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Arsenal's rivals are making things tough for them from set pieces(Image: Justin Setterfield, Getty Images)
"Whenever I go forward for a free-kick or a corner, I know it's a big chance for us. I put that thought in my head: 'I can score this one.' It's my mentality at every single corner."
Arteta handed sack warning
Pundit and former Premier League champion Chris Sutton believes Mikel Arteta's position will come under serious scrutiny should Arsenal fail to claim silverware this season. Sutton argued that, while he doesn't think Arsenal will have necessarily bottled it if they fall short in the title race, a portion of the fanbase may view it differently and this could ultimately cost Arteta his job.
"I do think he has a problem if he doesn't get over the line in the Premier League or the Champions League," Sutton said on the Monday Night Club. "I think it changes the landscape and the way Arsenal fans will view him, because he's been there long enough..."
He continued: "If he (Arteta) doesn't have the support of the Arsenal fans then that's when a decision will need to be made. So I do think it's make-or-break for him in terms of they have to win either the Premier League or Champions League or I think he'll be a goner."
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