Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit has praised Mikel Arteta’s impact at the club but believes the Spaniard is now facing one of the toughest moments of his tenure. Despite transforming the Gunners into a title-contending force, the pressure of falling just short could be taking its toll.
Arteta arrived in December 2019 to take on his first managerial role, succeeding Unai Emery and bringing fresh energy to a club in transition. Over the past five years, he has reshaped Arsenal’s identity, re-establishing them as a serious Premier League contender and securing their return to the Champions League. His tenure has also delivered an FA Cup and two Community Shields, offering silverware in a period of steady progress.
However, the long-awaited league title remains elusive. Last season, Arsenal finished just two points behind Manchester City, and this campaign, they find themselves 12 points behind leaders Liverpool with only nine matches left. With expectations rising and frustrations mounting, Petit believes Arteta is showing signs of fatigue.
Despite setbacks, Arsenal still have the opportunity for European glory, with a massive Champions League quarter-final against holders Real Madrid on the horizon. Their commanding 9-3 aggregate victory over PSV Eindhoven in the last 16 was a statement of intent, but early exits from the FA Cup and Carabao Cup have limited their chances of silverware. Arteta remains fully committed, but Petit senses the strain.
“Mikel Arteta looks tired and frustrated, you can see it on his face,” Petit told YaySweepstakes.com. “He has anger in his eyes. In just a few weeks, Arsenal lost ground in the Premier League, and the West Ham game at home seemed difficult for him to accept.”
Petit, a key figure in Arsenal’s double-winning side of 1997/98 under Arsène Wenger, acknowledges the remarkable progress Arteta has made but suggests the journey could be approaching its natural conclusion.
“He’s going into his sixth full season as Arsenal manager, and he has my full respect for what he’s done. The mentality, the identity, and the DNA of the club have been transformed,” Petit said. “I thank Mikel for everything he has achieved, but I feel like we may be reaching the end of his story at Arsenal. It’s not his fault—something is missing. He needs the right squad to fully realise his vision.”
Petit pointed to Arsenal’s struggles with squad depth as a recurring issue. Last season, William Saliba’s injury was a major turning point in their title challenge, and once again, the team appears to lack the reinforcements needed to go the distance.
“When you look at what happened when William Saliba was missing in the title race, you see how crucial those moments are. Arsenal lack the options when it really matters, and the story keeps repeating itself,” he said. “I’m not blaming Arteta. The staff have done an incredible job improving the team, but to fight for the biggest trophies, you need depth. The quality across the squad isn’t quite there yet, despite having opportunities to strengthen. If things don’t change, history may continue to repeat itself.”
As the season enters its decisive phase, Arteta’s future remains a subject of speculation. Should Arsenal secure Champions League success, the narrative could shift dramatically, but without a major trophy soon, the pressure will continue to mount.