Not for the first time this season, upcoming opposition for Arsenal have parted ways with their manager/coach. The latest being Thomas Frank who was sacked as Sp*rs manager this morning, and their next game is the North London derby on Sunday week.
It’s something it feels like the Gunners have to contend with a lot, and according The Athletic’s Nnamdi Onyeagwara, it will be the 7th time we’ve faced this kind of scenario, as Sunday’s FA Cup opposition Wigan also sacked their manager just a few days ago.
CORRECTION: It will be the seventh time.vs United (Carrick's second game)#Arsenal have won 4 of those 5 games with Wigan and Spurs to come.#AFC
— Nnamdi Onyeagwara (@nnamdionye.bsky.social) 2026-02-11T10:57:57.606Z
Asked about it at his pre-Brentford press conference today, and whether or not it poses a challenge for him and his team, Mikel Arteta said it’s part of the job to be able to adapt to those circumstances.
“I think it’s happened a lot of times already this season for us,” he said.
“At the end, you learn the lesson that not only with the change of manager, but what you expect a manager to do against you as well, because it has changed a lot this season.
“So we focus more on us and what we want to achieve, the way we want to play, the things we want to happen in the game in relation to what they do tactically – because their setup is one thing, their player profile is another thing, and momentum of the game and context is something else.
“We have to be able to adapt and recognise that, and understand those clues to do what we have to do.”
The Gunners also have to sit and watch Man City take on Fulham this evening, knowing a win for Pep Guardiola’s side would cut the gap at the top to just 3 points before our visit to the G-Tech Arena tomorrow. Again, that’s something Arteta views as part and parcel of the season.
“We remain focused, because that’s going to happen between now and the end of the season, as it has happened in the last six months.
“So it’s something normal, natural – and I’m looking forward to it.”