September 15, 2025 – Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta enters the 2025/26 campaign with the weight of expectation heavier than ever before. Backed by the board with significant transfer investments and now boasting one of the deepest squads in the Premier League, the Spaniard is under pressure to transform promise into silverware.
For the past two seasons, Arsenal have come tantalizingly close. They pushed Manchester City deep into the title race, played brilliant attacking football, and showcased a clear identity under Arteta’s management. Yet, the ultimate prize has remained just out of reach. With billions spent and the squad maturing, the margin for excuses has disappeared.
The Investment and the Patience
Since Arteta’s appointment in 2019, Arsenal have poured resources into building a competitive team. From marquee signings like Declan Rice and Kai Havertz to a strong spine featuring Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, William Saliba, and Gabriel Jesus, the Gunners are now stacked with both quality and depth.
The ownership has demonstrated unprecedented faith in Arteta’s project. But the question many fans are asking is simple: how much longer can patience last without trophies?
The Expectations This Season
Arsenal’s goals are crystal clear:
- Premier League – Mount a serious challenge to dethrone Manchester City.
- Champions League – Progress deep into Europe, with a semifinal or final the expected benchmark.
- Domestic Cups – No longer treated as a consolation, but a vital piece of silverware to validate the project.
Anything less than one major trophy will inevitably spark questions about Arteta’s future.
The Pressure Point
For Arteta, this season may represent a crossroads. If Arsenal fall short again, the board faces a difficult decision: do they continue trusting the long-term process, or admit the ceiling has been reached under his leadership?
Some argue this should be Arteta’s final chance to prove he can deliver titles. Others believe stability is vital, and that replacing him even in the event of failure could derail years of progress.
Can Arsenal Topple City?
Ultimately, Arsenal’s fate hinges on whether they can finally outlast Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, a dynasty that has dominated English football for nearly a decade. Arsenal have shown glimpses of being ready, but City’s relentless consistency has always proven decisive.
If Arteta can guide the Gunners to either a Premier League or Champions League triumph, his legacy at Arsenal will be cemented. If not, the calls for change could become impossible to ignore.
The Big Questions
Is this Arteta’s final chance to prove he can take Arsenal back to the very top?
Will failure to win the Premier League or Champions League this season spell the end?
Or should Arsenal stick with the long-term project no matter what?
What’s clear is that this season is make-or-break for both Arteta and Arsenal. The pieces are in place. The time is now.