Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta the ‘Odds-On’ Favorite to be Next Manager Sacked

The odds have been slashed for Mikel Arteta to become the next Premier League manager sacked after defeat at Everton saw Arsenal slip to 15th in the table. 

Pressure is mounting at the Emirates Stadium after Arteta—who guided Arsenal to FA Cup glory and an eighth-place finish in his maiden campaign at the helm—has gone seven league games without a win. The Gunners’ last league win came away at Manchester United on November 1, enduring their longest winless streak in more than 40 years.

Odds aggregating site Oddschecker announced Arteta is now the primary pick among Premier League options to get the boot next, not long after Slaven Bilic was the first boss sacked this term by West Bromwich Albion. He leads the way at +120 odds, while Sheffield United’s Chris Wilder and Brighton’s Graham Potter follow behind at +240 and +350 odds, respectively.

The Spaniard—who was appointed boss of his old club on December 20, 2019—recently pulled up some intriguing statistics in an effort to defend his record, suggesting Arsenal should have won more of their games this season:

Mikel Arteta came armed with stats as he spoke about Arsenal's form ahead of their Carabao Cup clash with Man City

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 21, 2020

His future in north London is a contentious topic among pundits and ex-players. Former Arsenal defender William Gallas told Ladbrokes the club should appoint club legend Patrick Vieira—recently sacked by French club Nice—as Arteta’s replacement should they opt for a change.

Meanwhile, ex-Aston Villa forward Gabriel Agbonlahor has taken a more sympathetic approach and said it looks as though Arteta has “lost the changing room,” per the Evening Standard:

“I can tell by Nicolas Pepe’s body language when he came off that he’s not having the manager. Alexandre Lacazette when he’s coming on for 15 minutes, you can tell he’s not having the manager.

“When I look at it I feel sorry for Arteta because he’s come in, done well with the team, he’s won a trophy and now with these results the players aren’t running for him.”

The manager himself has also taken to indirectly calling out certain personalities in his squad:

Arteta: "You have two types of people: fighters and victims. You need fighters and you don't want any victims. Victims bring excuses, victims bring negativity and they start to blame anything that is happening around them or is not going their way. You need people who fight" #AFC

— Sam Dean (@SamJDean) December 21, 2020

Arteta has had success in the UEFA Europa League and guided Arsenal into the last 32 of the competition, but that feat may not be enough to keep his job much longer. It’s a slight surprise to see Ole Gunnar Solskjaer still at odds as high as +1080 to be the next boss fired in England’s top flight given Manchester United’s exit from the UEFA Champions League, though his stock currently looks valuable with the Red Devils up to third.

Arteta appeared to immediately improve Arsenal’s fortunes following his arrival one year ago, but a drought in current form could be enough to see what appeared to be a blossoming reunion end already.

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