The Spaniard has been warned that he must perform this year or risk being fired from the team.
If the Gunners do not place in the top four, Mikel Arteta risked losing his job, according to former Arsenal defender William Gallas. In his third full season in charge, Arteta has so far been unable to help the club qualify for the Champions League.
The Gunners looked set to finish fourth last season, but a late collapse caused them to lose out to sworn rivals Tottenham.
Since then, Arteta has received support in the transfer market, with Arsenal adding Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus this summer, increasing the pressure for him to perform.
Arteta given Arsenal sack warning
In an interview with Genting Casino, Gallas has predicted that Arteta’s job will be in jeopardy if Arsenal fail to secure a top-four finish.
“Of course he will be in trouble. Arteta has been asked to make the top four and he didn’t do it last season,” he said.
“If Arsenal don’t play in the Champions League next season, it would cause a lot of drama. They have to have a great season, possibly win the Premier League, but definitely to qualify for the Champions League.
“They have just bought new players, it’s in the hands of Arteta and the players. It will be a big problem for all of them if they don’t do their job to qualify in the Champions League.”
When did Arsenal last qualify for the Champions League?
The Gunners last graced Europe’s top club competition during the 2016-17 season, having finished third in the Premier League in the previous campaign.
Things began promisingly as they topped Group A ahead of Paris Saint-Germain, Ludogorets and Basel. However, as has happened many times previously, the knockout stages proved to be a bridge too far.
Arsenal were handed a tough last-16 tie against Bayern Munich and ended up being humiliated. A 5-1 defeat at the Allianz Arena in the first leg all but booked Bayern’s place in the quarter final, though that did not stop them subjecting the Gunners to a second 5-1 loss in the return game.
Gallas offers Saliba verdict
Gallas also took time to discuss his compatriot and namesake William Saliba, who impressed on his Arsenal debut against Crystal Palace last Friday.
“Saliba is a really good player. He had a great season at Marseille, now he’s back at Arsenal, it is a big step,” he added.
“He will show what he can really do. Last season he was upset to leave Arsenal on loan. When I look at him, he reminds me of a player I used to play against, and that player is Rio Ferdinand.
“If you look at how Saliba plays, and how Rio did when he was young, they have the same style. I didn’t say he will have the same career, but I hope he does. He just has a similar style to Ferdinand.
“I think Saliba will surprise a lot of people, as he plays more games and gains more confidence, because he has pressure on his shoulders, he’s still so young and has much to prove, he will be even better.”
