Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta is facing fresh scrutiny over his long-term future at the club, with reports in Spain claiming he could be dismissed if the Gunners fail to win either the Premier League or the UEFA Champions League this season.
According to Metro, senior figures at Arsenal are under growing pressure as a campaign that once promised a historic quadruple begins to show strain.
The speculation intensified just 24 hours after a Ugandan supporter, Eric Kyama, went viral for threatening legal action against the club over what he described as “emotional distress” following Arsenal’s 2–1 home defeat by AFC Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta, now in his sixth full season in charge, had Arsenal competing on four fronts as recently as last month.
However, their ambitions were dented by defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final and a shock FA Cup quarter-final exit to Southampton, who currently play in the Championship.
Despite those setbacks, Arsenal remain favourites for the Premier League title, a prize they have not lifted since 2004.
Yet Saturday’s loss to Bournemouth, which denied them the chance to open a 12-point lead, has given renewed encouragement to Pep Guardiola’s side, who were in action against Chelsea.
The result came only days after Arsenal appeared to steady their campaign with a 1–0 away win over Sporting CP in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
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A late goal from Kai Havertz has put the north London side in a strong position ahead of Wednesday’s return leg.
Attention will then turn to a potentially decisive league meeting with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, a fixture that could shape the title race.
Questions persist over whether the club hierarchy would tolerate a sixth consecutive season without silverware.
Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo reports that Arsenal would begin the search for a new manager should Arteta fail to deliver, ending a tenure approaching seven years.
The same report claims the club have already identified former captain Cesc Fabregas as an ideal successor.
Fabregas spent nearly a decade at Arsenal, winning domestic honours under Arsène Wenger before returning to Barcelona.
Meanwhile, Kyama’s mock legal filing, first reported by Tribuna, accuses Arsenal of professional negligence, tactical incoherence and misrepresenting the club’s values.
While the claim has no legal standing, it has added an unusual and uncomfortable subplot to a turbulent week for the club.
Arsenal have not publicly commented on the matter.