'Arsenal are going nowhere under Mikel Arteta'

Arsenal have been stagnant and are yet to show any significant improvement under Mikel Arteta, claims Graeme Souness.

Arsenal have gone below their usual standards and are slowly becoming a ‘mid-table’ side under Arteta, says Souness.

The Gunners are traditionally part of the ‘big four’ but the lack of Champions League football in the past three years has seen many question that tag.

Under Arteta, Arsenal suffered their worst start to a season in decades until the Spaniard gradually restored the ship sometime around December.

Consistent individual errors of late have seen the Gunners go three Premier League games without a win.

Crazy how Arteta’s Arsenal is the most structured Arsenal side in over a decade. We don’t concede near 30 shots a match like we did under Emery. We’re not easy to bully like we were towards the end under Wenger. When we concede, it’s almost always down to individual errors.
— Colin (@cmbfooty) February 8, 2021

Ahead of their clash with Leeds, the Gunners find themselves in an unfamiliar position of 11th place, and even a quest for a top-six finish seems like a daunting task.

Graeme Souness has given his own verdict and categorically claims Arsenal are ‘deteriorating’ under Mikel Arteta.

He said to Sky Sports: “I don’t pay a lot of attention to them. That says everything.”

“Arsenal are of one of the big clubs historically and right now they’re mid-table and appear to be going nowhere. That’s how I’d describe them.”

“It’s upsetting for Arsenal fans, I don’t see any lift or improvement since the new manager arrived. We talk about giving managers time, it looks like he’s got some credit and goodwill in the bank after winning the FA Cup.”

“Right now they’re treading water, not going one way or another. Unless there’s a real change in form they’ll be in mid-table come the end of the season.”

Souness further claimed that the Gunners have slumped over recent years, including under current boss Mikel Arteta.

He added: “Arsenal made that jump, the move from Highbury to the Emirates, to be one of the big clubs on the world stage. They’ve gone backwards, the quality of players they have, their potential to win trophies, they’re nowhere near it.”

“They are in the greatest city in the world, you would think the owner would have a real go. We’re not seeing that.”

“Supporters must be pulling their hair out. We should be thinking of Arsenal as a top six, top eight team in world football. It’s a classic case of mismanagement. I’m talking about above the manager.”