Arsenal are bang in form in the Premier League right now but there’s no denying that it’s been a rotten season.
The Gunners are ninth in the table after winning their last three domestic games.
But this season had been about winning the Europa League for most of 2021 and Arsenal were dumped out at the semi-final stage by Unai Emery’s Villarreal earlier this month.
As a result, Mikel Arteta has found himself under increasing pressure to keep his job but Arsenal’s 1-0 win away to Champions League finalists Chelsea in midweek has stemmed the tide of discontent for now.
It was reported last week, following their Europa League exit, that the Emirates Stadium club’s hierarchy wouldn’t be firing Arteta despite this being their worst campaign in some 25 years.
Arteta is somebody well known to Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.
And the newly-crowned Premier League title winner has backed his former assistant to turn things around in North London next term, claiming his old colleague will make Arsenal take a ‘step forward’ next season.
He said via The Mirror: “Arsenal… they trust with Mikel because I know him perfectly, they will make a step forward next season.”
It’s quite a confident claim by Guardiola and one that’s quite exciting.
Yes, he is Arteta’s mate, but he also knows football like the back of his hand and if he can see Arsenal going forward then that sort of comment has to be taken seriously.
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