Former Arsenal star, Paul Merson has reportedly revealed his concerns over the possibility Mikel Arteta could end up just like Arsene Wenger at the club.
The ex-England international, who won two league crowns and a cup double with the Gunners in 1993, made the remarks on Sky Sports during the Gunners’ victory against Newcastle over the weekend.
Arteta’s team will once again play in the UEFA Champions League thanks to that victory. If they don’t lose to already relegated Southampton they’ll probably end as the Premier League’s runners-up.
Arsenal would finish second in the league for the third consecutive year, but Merson is more worried about the club’s lack of silverware.
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After leading the team to FA Cup glory in his debut season, Arteta has failed to lead the team to another league or cup victory.
According to The Mirror, Merson acknowledges that during his tenure as manager, Arteta has advanced the team. But he worries that until the 43-year-old receives the transfer support he requires, Wenger’s problems will recur as the legendary Frenchman departed the club with a whimper.
“If you look at the all-round picture, four/five years ago they were also-rans, the club’s gone, it’s going nowhere,” Merson said.
“He [Arteta] put the heart back in the club. The fans are here, they turn up every week again. They’re not far away, they need a centre forward.
“They need a couple of players. I hope he doesn’t end up like [Arsene] Wenger did a couple of years into his reign when everyone knew they needed a centre-back. They need a centre forward.”
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