Is Southampton Arteta’s last hurrah?

Arsenal’s home match against Southampton could very well be the defining game in Mikel Arteta’s reign as Gunners boss.

Currently sitting 15th in the Premier League table, Arsenal desperately need a win, not just for the fans and to get their league campaign up and running, but also to ease the pressure on Mikel Arteta.

The Spaniard has come under some serious heat over the last two weeks and rightly so. The performances have been underwhelming, to say the least. Granit Xhaka’s red card is just another instance where Arsenal was in control of the match, similar to the Leeds United game, then a red card cost the Gunners any chance of the three points.

On Sunday Arteta was again let down by the players that he has put his trust in so often to bring the club back from this downward spiral. They were given a chance, however once again his players let him down. Mikel Arteta is the right man for the job, isn’t he? We have seen that he has a remarkable tactical mind and that has seen the Gunners win the FA Cup just four months ago, so why has it gone so horribly wrong?

Many fans suggest it is solely down to the manager, while others have laid the blame squarely on the players. Whichever side of the debate you are on, both have valid points. Mikel Arteta has baffled the mind with his team selections recently, giving games to his senior players when it is clear that the young players that cruised through the group stage and barely make it into the matchday squad are more deserving of an opportunity.

He continually puts his faith in certain players and week after week they let him down. Is Mikel Arteta trying to get these players into form or does he simply not trust the younger players in his squad?. Many have argued that William Saliba has been ready for first-team football for weeks, yet he has not been sighted, much like Emile Smith Rowe who has all the ingredients that Arsenal are missing in the final third, so why have they not been given a chance?

Then there are the players. Ultimately it does come down to them, they are the ones on the pitch and are trusted with putting Mikel Arteta’s plan into place. Yet so many have been sub-par and they continue to be rewarded with games.

As Mikel Arteta has previously stated that he does not have the proper players to be able to play his desired style of football, yet his project seemed to be working when the club won the FA Cup just a matter of months ago. January presents a chance to bring in some quality players, however, there is a real chance that Mikel Arteta will not be there if results do not improve.

Arsenal’s clash against Southampton has the potential to be Mikel Arteta’s last game as Gunners boss and it would be a shame if he were to lose his job as his quality is there for all to see, however, he simply does not have the players to carry out his vision.

It truly is make or break for Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal side.

Something has to give.