As Arsenal limp toward the end of a trophyless 2024/25 season, Mikel Arteta finds himself under a microscope, his every word dissected by fans and pundits alike. The Gunners’ 3-1 aggregate defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-finals, coupled with a 15-point deficit to Premier League champions Liverpool, has intensified scrutiny on the Spaniard’s five-year reign. Ahead of a daunting clash at Anfield, Arteta attempted to deflect criticism by acknowledging his squad’s shortcomings from the season’s outset, but his effort to praise Liverpool’s Arne Slot veered into an unintended slight, sparking debate about his leadership and Arsenal’s fading ambitions. The incident, layered with yet another excuse for failure, paints a picture of a manager grappling with mounting pressure.
Arteta’s tenure has been a tale of transformation and near-misses. Since 2019, he’s rebuilt Arsenal from mid-table obscurity to title contenders, with 89 points in the 2023/24 Premier League season—a tally that would have won the title in most years. Yet, the 2024/25 campaign has been a stark reminder of the fine margins in elite football. Injuries to key players like Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, and Kai Havertz have crippled Arsenal’s attack, while a Carabao Cup semi-final loss to Newcastle and a faltering league form have left them without silverware since the 2020 FA Cup. “There are a lot of factors. We knew from the beginning of the season that our squad was super short,” Arteta admitted, pointing to the injury crisis as a primary culprit. His candid admission, however, has drawn ire from fans who see it as another excuse in a season riddled with them, from refereeing controversies to claims of insufficient backing from the board.
The Anfield showdown looms as a critical test, with Liverpool, under Slot’s masterful guidance, clinching the Premier League title with four games to spare. Arteta’s attempt to laud Slot’s impact misfired spectacularly. “What Arne did was very intelligent. He came in and did nothing new,” he said, intending to highlight Slot’s seamless integration into Jurgen Klopp’s system. The phrasing, however, landed as a backhanded compliment, implying Slot merely rode Klopp’s coattails rather than innovating. The remark drew raised eyebrows, especially given Slot’s remarkable record: 11 wins in Liverpool’s first 12 matches, a Champions League group stage sweep, and a title secured with a squad bolstered by just one signing, Federico Chiesa. “Mikel has been working there for five years and he should get a lot of credit for the way his team plays,” Slot responded graciously, refusing to take the bait and praising Arsenal’s versatility. His diplomacy only highlighted Arteta’s misstep.
Arteta’s comments reflect a broader narrative of frustration. After the PSG loss, he boldly claimed Arsenal were “the best in the Champions League,” despite failing to beat Luis Enrique’s side over two legs—a statement that drew rebukes from former manager Arsène Wenger and Enrique himself. “100% I don’t think there’s been a better team in the competition from what I have seen, but we are out,” Arteta insisted, a line that baffled observers given Liverpool and Aston Villa’s victories over PSG. Social media erupted, with one fan posting, “Arteta’s delusional—best team but no trophies?” Another quipped, “He’s mastered the art of excuse-making.” Critics like Jamie Carragher have warned that Arteta’s legacy risks being “years of groundwork for the benefit of a successor” if he fails to deliver silverware soon.
With new sporting director Andrea Berta at the helm, Arsenal are gearing up for a transformative summer, targeting a striker like Alexander Isak or Viktor Gyokeres, a winger, a midfielder, and a defender. “It’s going to be a big one, and we are very excited about it,” Arteta said, hinting at a £100 million war chest. Yet, the Anfield clash, where Arsenal will offer a guard of honour to Slot’s champions, could set the tone for his future. A defeat might amplify calls for change, with some board members reportedly questioning his tactics. As Arteta navigates this crucible, his unintended slight of Slot serves as a reminder: in the pressure cooker of elite football, words can wound as much as results.