Once again this season, Arsenal are out of Carabao Cup following a 2-0 loss (4-0 aggregate) loss to Newcastle on Wednesday evening, and their chances of winning a trophy this year are very slim. This has been the story for several years under Mikel Arteta – A manager who has supposedly “resurrected” Arsenal.
The Gunners haven’t reached a domestic cup final since 2020, and they last won a trophy that same year. Over the past five years, they’ve had mid-table finishes in the Premier League, followed by three years of competing with Manchester City and now Liverpool for the title.
Arsenal have shown they need something extra to push through in high-pressure moments, whether it’s in the later stages of the Champions League, domestic cups, or the final stretch of the title race.
They’ve proven they can start the season strong, but they lack what it takes to finish as champions. This is where the manager’s role becomes crucial.
Time for a better manager?
Managers like José Mourinho, Thomas Tuchel, Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti, and Jürgen Klopp have shown over the years that they have the experience and confidence to guide their teams to victory. This is the challenge Arsenal must face: stick with the stability Arteta provides, or look for a manager who can consistently push the team to bigger success.
This is a critical time for Arsenal. If the club continues on its current path—playing well during the season but failing to win trophies—star players may lose faith, and the squad could be picked apart by bigger clubs.
The club must decide: continue with the safe option in Mikel Arteta or show ambition by bringing in a manager who can take Arsenal to the next level.
