Mikel Arteta could be facing a make-or-break scenario at Arsenal in 2026.
The Spanish coach is under pressure to end Arsenal's long wait for a Premier League title with the Gunners last lifting the trophy under Arsene Wenger in 2004.
Arteta has led Arsenal to three successive second-place finishes in the last three campaign in behind Manchester City twice and losing to Liverpool in 2024/25.
Arsenal finished 8th in 2019/20, after Arteta replaced Unai Emery midway through the campaign, and the following five full campaigns under him have seen an upward trend - but no league trophy.
The 2020 FA Cup remains Arteta's sole major trophy as Arsenal boss after losing the UEFA Europa League final that season.
Despite being under contract until the end of 2026/27, there is growing sense of Arteta and Arsenal parting ways next summer, if he does not secure the title of a first-ever Champions League crown.
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The club have consistently backed him in the transfer market, with around £250m worth of talent brought in this summer, and club icon Robert Pires believes it's now or never for Arteta.
"In my opinion, if Arsenal don’t win a trophy this year, the club will consider finding another coach," the two-time Premier League winner told Foot Mercato.
"He’s been there for five years and unfortunately, the title has eluded him. What’s important for the fans is the championship. Money was spent in the summer, he made certain demands, which were met by the board.
"If Arsenal don’t win the championship, I think there will definitely be a change on the bench.
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"It won't be easy because you have Liverpool and Man City in there and Chelsea won't be far behind. But I think Arsenal hold the cards and have the players to win the title."
Arteta's side have closed the gap at the top of the EPL rankings to two points behind Liverpool - ahead of hosting West Ham United on October 4 - ahead of the next international break.
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