Robert Pires believes Arsenal will ‘definitely’ move on from Mikel Arteta if he fails to deliver the Premier League trophy this season.
Despite coming agonisingly close to winning the Premier League, Arsenal have not won a trophy since lifting the FA Cup in 2020.
Arteta’s side have finished as runners-up in the Premier League for the past three seasons and finished just two points behind Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in 2023-24.
Arsenal backed Arteta with a significant spending spree over the summer and are desperate for the new additions to lead to silverware this season.
Over £250m was spent on the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke and Arsenal have enjoyed a relatively bright start to the season since the window shut.
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Four wins, one draw and one defeat from their first six games leaves Arsenal second in the Premier League, two points behind defending champions and early pacesetters Liverpool.
Pires believes Arsenal are more than capable of ending their long wait for a Premier League title but has warned Arteta he could well lose his job if that fails to materalise.
‘In my opinion, if Arsenal don’t win a trophy this year, the management will consider finding another coach,’ two-time Premier League winner Pires told Foot Mercato.
‘He’s been there for five years and unfortunately, the title has eluded him. What’s important for the fans is the championship.
‘Money was spent in the summer transfer window. He made certain demands, which were met by the Arsenal board.
‘If Arsenal don’t win the championship, I think there will definitely be a change on the bench.
‘It’s not going to be easy because you have Liverpool, you have Man City who are there, Chelsea won’t be far behind. But I think Arsenal holds the cards and have the players to win the title.’
Gyokeres was arguably Arsenal’s marquee summer signing, the Sweden international completing a £64m move from Sporting.
The 27-year-old boasted an extraordinary goalscoring record for Sporting but has endured a subdued start to his Arsenal career with three goals in eight appearances.
Discussing Gyokeres’ form at the Emirates Stadium, Gunners legend Pires added: ‘It’s not easy for him because he comes from a league where he was a serial scorer.
‘He scored goal after goal in Portugal. Today, in the Premier League, the defenders you face are much tougher and much rougher than in the Portuguese league.
‘So, it’s not easy. And then, well, Arsenal has this desire to be champion of England. So it’s not easy.’
Arsenal boosted their title aspirations with a thrilling comeback win over Newcastle United on Sunday, scoring two late goals to win 2-1 at St James’ Park.
The Gunners face Olympiacos in the Champions League on Wednesday night before returning to Premier League action at the weekend against London rivals West Ham.
West Ham drew 1-1 with Everton in Nuno Espirto Santo’s first game in charge since the former Nottingham Forest manager replaced Graham Potter.
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