Under-pressure Mikel Arteta makes statement over possible Arsenal sack

Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta has conceded that he is feeling the heat as Arsenal manager amid mounting question marks over his future at the club.

The Spaniard took over from the sacked Unai Emery exactly a year ago. But the issues that haunted his predocessor are still very much in evident as Arsenal went down to a 2-1 loss at home to Wolves.

The Gunners now sit in 14th place, having taken just 13 points from their opening 10 games. They are already well off the pace for the European places and many observers predict a long, hard season.

Although he admits he is feeling the heat to restore Arsenal to their former glories, Arteta insists he is not fearing the sack.

However, he does concede that managerial changes in football are commonplace and accepts he won’t stay at the helm forever.

“It is something that the day I decided to be a coach, I know that one day I will be sacked or leave the football club,” Arteta said.

“I don’t know if it’s the day after I sign my contact, in a month’s time, a year’s time or six months’ time. I never worry about it.

“My only concern is to get the best out of the players, give the best possible service to the club and become better and better.

“I know, I repeat, in this profession, one day I will get the sack or leave but I don’t know when that is going to happen.”

When asked how he felt after the home loss to Wolves, Arteta admitted their current form is a concern.

“It is when you lose three games in a row for different reasons at home. I am really concerned, I am responsible for that.”

 

Reflecting on Sunday’s defeat and after identifying the reasons for the loss, he said: “A really bad result. The performance, in the first half we had our moments, they had two shots on target and they scored twice.

“We had a great reaction in the second half, we went all for it. I think the team showed a desire, how much they wanted to win the game.

“We created opportunities, we created chances and the goal didn’t arrive. Obviously disappointed because I think we deserved more from the game.

“It is (a concern) when you lose three games in a row for different reasons at home.

“Obviously I’m really concerned, I’m responsible for that, but I must the reaction that the team had, the way we played the second half.

“I expect from them more quality and more ability but in the end, the desire and the willingness to go and get a result was there.”

Arteta on David Luiz injury

Sunday’s match was marred by a nasty head clash between David Luiz and Raul Jimenez.

David Luiz TEAMtalk

The duo collided when competing for a corner, with the Wolves striker appearing to come off worse.

Luiz was able to continue on until the break, but Jimenez was stretchered off and immediately sent to hospital.

Initially asked about the head clash, Arteta insisted his side followed the necessary protocols after David Luiz was given the green light to continue before being substituted at half-time.

Arteta told Sky Sports: “David [Luiz] is OK. He has a nasty cut and he was conscious. He had a test and was completely fine. We were really worried for Raul Jimenez because it was really nasty.

“When you see the reaction of the players you know something really bad is happening.

“We followed the protocol to check he [Luiz] had not lost any consciousness which he hadn’t and then some tests.

“They will continue to do some more checks on him. He was really uncomfortable and couldn’t really head the ball and couldn’t continue.”

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