Paul Merson told Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports (10/04/21 at 2:10 pm) that Mikel Arteta job at Arsenal will be ‘alright’ even if they lose on Thursday to Slavia Prague.
The outspoken TV pundit questioned who would take the Arsenal gig as he compared the North London giants to a nightclub – Stringfellows – and how that was also once a ‘great club’.
Even though Arsenal secured a comfortable 3-0 win at Sheffield United on Sunday, all eyes will be on Thursday and that crucial second-leg Europa League showdown.
Lose that and Arteta may find that he has to pack his bags.
But Merson, who was asked what will happen to Arteta if they lost in the Czech Republic, thinks he will still be in a job.
On if Arsenal lose on Thursday: “I think he’s alright,” said Merson. “Who is going to take that job, at the moment?
“Great club. But you have to have good players. You have to have good players. Stringfellows was a great club. I went in there went it was stone empty.
“It’s alright having a great club but you have to have the players in there.”
Arsenal have gone backwards from last season and are heading towards a mid-table finish, no trophy and no European football.
Both Arsene Wenger and Unai Emery were sacked for less, so it has to be questioned how Arteta survives if the above scenario happens.
But even if Arsenal see past Slavia Prague, they may well face the prospect of having to come up against Emery in the next round, who is an expert in this competition.
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