Arsenal set Mikel Arteta demands before sacking after appalling season

Arsenal are in free fall and the buck has to stop somewhere. As it is, while there appears to be no end to the trend in regards to ownership and management, everything has its price.

That relates to Mikel Arteta being the manager at Arsenal as much as it does Daniel Ek’s hopes of purchasing his boyhood football club from the jaws of money hungry American owners.

An inexperienced trio of Edu, Vinai Venkatesham and Arteta were hired by KSE to lead Arsenal into a new era. The decision to do so came with the responsibility of a major footballing institution being placed in the hands of rookies, by those whose own control resembles people who don’t even understand the offside rule.

Fine, that’s what billionaire owners can get away with. But in doing so, employ those who have a connection with the club and supporters and, ultimately, know what they’re doing.

Arsenal set Mikel Arteta demands to prevent him being sacked after appalling season

One piece of that freshly constructed puzzle is Arteta, who has never been closer to losing his job. That won’t happen. Not yet. However, despite placing their faith in the 39-year-old to lead this sinking ship back on course, at some stage there will be a point where he is thrown overboard.

As reported by Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail, Arteta will be given until the early stages of next season to prove that he is the man alter this downward trajectory. The Gunners’ board is, of course, dismayed at how this season has played out and are demanding ‘significant’ improvements moving forward.

No surprise there.

There won’t be the time available he may have hoped for, though. He has no divine right to expect another full season of backing, as decisions he’s made from a coaching perspective have played a determining role in how this atrocious season has panned out. Numerous uncontrollable factors have not aided his cause, the like of which can’t be understated, and they have granted him mitigation.

The Kroenke’s will provide investment to allow Arteta to build his squad – a figure impacted by the inevitable lack of European football next season – one which will balance out with numerous outgoings.

Fail to oversee an upturn in result next season, however, and it’s unlikely he will see the job out until Christmas. He is running out of time to convince the hierarchy that he is the right man. He can have no complaints.