Mikel Arteta told what'll happen if Arsenal miss out on title as club icon speaks out

Arsenal are five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League, and Mikel Arteta's side are still in with a chance of completing a quadruple.

Arsenal icon Ray Parlour does not believe Mikel Arteta will be sacked should the Gunners suffer from another trophyless season. The 43-year-old has transformed the Gunners from a side that struggled to qualify for the Champions League, into consistent title challengers.

However, the Spanish head coach has not won a major trophy at Arsenal since lifting the FA Cup in 2019, though did win the Community Shielf in 2023. Although Arsenal are top of the table and have been the team to beat this season, there's a nervousness in some quarters that they could 'bottle it' again.

The Gunners have been in pole position to win the title in previous seasons, only for Pep Guardiola's Manchester City to gazump them in the latter stages. It has put Arteta under increased pressure to deliver silverware this season, but Parlour believes that's part of being in charge at a big club.

In an exclusive interview, Parlour told football.london via BetMGM: "Of course, he’s under pressure. There’s no doubt about that because he’s spent a lot of money. Expectation is massive at Arsenal now, you can see it week in week out, they expect a performance with the players they've got.

"They can't get a bigger or better squad. The owners have certainly backed him and given him all the tools he needs to win the league. It's an old cliche, but the first trophy is always the hardest one to win as a group of players.

FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

"That’s why the Man City game at Wembley is going to be big. I know it’s "only" the League Cup, which is probably the trophy you want the least, but it’s still a trophy and winning something to prove you are a top side.

"The only problem you’ve got when talking about changing managers is looking at other clubs. Man United has been a merry-go-round; Chelsea, another one; big clubs who have had all sorts of managers.

"Now Tottenham are in that situation when they keep changing managers. You’ve got to look out there and ask: who’s going to do a better job than Mikel Arteta? There are not many who could.

"As much as everyone will be disappointed if he comes second again, and the press will have a field day saying they "bottled it again," I still think he’s staying in his job. It’s how you lose, as well don't get me wrong, it's how you lose trophies.

"If they can get to the latter stages of the Champions League, we'll see. They are in a good position in the FA Cup, League Cup final, and a good position in the league.

"He has done a good job because he had to get rid of quite a few players to get his own in, and you can see they’re playing for him. Now, it’s just the next step.

"Can you dominate the Premier League for the next couple of years? Like Pep has done. They’ve got a young enough squad to do it, if they can win it this year they can go on and win another couple in the years going forward."

Arsenal still have to face City in the Premier League, having drawn 1-1 at the Emirates Stadium earlier this season, with Gabriel Martinelli scoring a late equaliser to cancel out Erling Haaland's opener.

"I think they’re [Arsenal] definitely favorites because they’ve still got a little bit of a gap," Parlour said. "If Man City win every game, they win it - simple as that. Pep Guardiola will be saying, "Well, we can do it."

"They're capable of doing it, there’s no doubt about that because of the players they’ve got. I think Marc Guéhi has been a brilliant signing for them at the back. He’s going to really make them solid.

"Much more solid, when I saw them against Man Utd, the two young players at the back - they're going to be good players don't get me wrong -they looked like they were going to make a mistake.

"Guéhi will certainly stabilize the back line. And we know Haaland—if he can get in form again, he can bang in goals until the end of the season. You’ve got some top, top players in midfield.

"Rodri has been there and done it; he’s won trophies. Bernardo Silva has been there and done it. They've got players who have the experience of winning trophies."

The two clubs are set to face off in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium in April, but will also do battle at Wembley Stadium in the Carabao Cup Final next month, in a huge opportunity for both clubs to land a psychological blow.

Parlour added: "The League Cup game at Wembley is massive, too. If Arsenal can somehow come out and win that game, it’s a big momentum boost to get one over on your rivals. It could go either way.

"Man City could win that game. No problem at all as well. That could swing them towards... I'd like to see the bookmakers on after that game.

"I know it’s March the 22nd and there’s still quite a few games left, but that could be a big, big test for both sides. Ten games left, you've got a chance it’s a two-horse race.

"You’ve just got to try and win every game and hope someone else slips up and does you a favour. I think the run-in is a little bit more favoured toward Arsenal than Man City, though the Etihad game in April is going to be vital.

"It’s going to go down to the wire. It's not going to be what Piers Morgan said - I wish it was, but it ain't going to be like that. That they'll win it in March. No chance."

Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings.