'I think': Gary Lineker says whether he thinks Arsenal should sack Mikel Arteta

https://cdn1.tbrfootball.com/uploads/27/2025/01/GettyImages-2193556124-1024x683.jpg

Mikel Arteta has now overseen 262 games in just over five years as manager of Arsenal, winning one FA Cup medal in the process.

Under Arteta, Arsenal have come incredibly far from their struggles under Unai Emery, who wasn't quite the right character to replace Arsene Wenger.

Arteta has completely revamped Arsenal's squad whilst he's been in charge, and the Gunners are now at the point when they are desperate to win trophies.

Of course, the chances of Arsenal doing that this season now look a lot slimmer after their FA Cup exit at the hands of 10-men Manchester United, and also given their 2-0 deficit against Newcastle United in their two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final.

Arsenal are in the midst of another injury crisis, and it has hurt Arteta's side.

Gary Lineker explains why Mikel Arteta is still the right manager for Arsenal

That considered, Gary Lineker was asked whether he thinks Arteta is being afforded more time than a different manager would be, and whether he ultimately deserves to lose his job at Arsenal.

The pundit was pitched the question on 'The Rest is Football' podcast, and Lineker gave a lengthy response, explaining that the Arsenal manager didn't deserve to go, a conclusion most would make.

Lineker replied: "Well, he has won the FA Cup. And they’re also third in that current Champions League phase, the second in the Premier League.

"They’re in the semi-final of the Carabao. Before you jump in, Alan, I know you’ve tuned in a lot. Well, we talked a little bit about that at the weekend.

Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

READ MORE: Spanish press warn Arsenal not to make the same mistake as Liverpool in move for Martin Zubimendi

"They need to make that step, I suppose, is what they’re talking about.

"I think the disappointment, perhaps, for Arsenal fans would have been this season, with City being way below their best, that they’ve not quite gone ahead.

"But that’s mainly because you’ve got a credit Liverpool for that.

"But they’re not going too badly at all. I mean, certainly it would be incredibly harsh if they were to get rid of Arteta. I think he’s overall done a brilliant job.

"He’s got them really, really competitive again at the top of the league, season in, season out.

"They’re not far off. I think we’ve all said frequently that the one thing that’s probably missing is bringing in a centre forward that can do damage.

"And then they’d be definitely, well, they’re challenging already."

Mikel Arteta the key to signing Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad

Of course, the news broke on Wednesday that Arsenal are winning the race for Martin Zubimendi next summer, a player who rejected Liverpool only six months ago.

It was incredibly good timing for reports of the transfer coup to arise, a reminder of what Arteta offers at Arsenal in the transfer market too, an excellent pull.

Arteta was key to convincing Zubimendi, a midfielder who many top, top clubs across Europe have failed to convince.

On the pitch, Arteta also deserves more credit too – his work at Arsenal has been excellent.

Any side would miss Bukayo Saka sorely, and Arsenal are no different.

And given Liverpool dropped points against Nottingham Forest, it's still not impossible that Arsenal can challenge for the Premier League title this season.

×