Jermaine Pennant: Another trophyless season will put Arteta under pressure

Former Arsenal winger Jermaine Pennant has told NewBettingSites.uk that he believes pressure will begin to mount on Gunners boss Mikel Arteta should he fail to win a trophy this season.

Since taking over in 2019, Arteta has won just one FA Cup as Arsenal manager. Pennant suggested the Spaniard’s only saving grace this year could be the extensive injury list that he is currently navigating.

Speaking to NewBettingSites.uk, Pennant said: “I think another trophyless season would start to build a bit of pressure on Mikel Arteta. They had been chasing Manchester City down for the last two seasons, now City aren’t there and they still haven’t managed to win the league. It’s only natural that people are beginning to ask questions.

“The only saving grace for Arteta at the moment is the injury list. The injury situation makes it more understandable that they are not hitting the same levels this season. That has taken a little bit of pressure off him.

“That said, ultimately, it still reads as another trophyless season in the history books. There will certainly be murmurs.”

Arsenal’s injuries have dented title hopes

Arsenal sit second in the Premier League, seven points behind Liverpool. Pennant believes the Gunners’ attacking injuries have not ended their title hopes, but they have significantly reduced their chances of ending a 21-year wait for the Premier League trophy.

“I cannot say for certain that Arsenal’s attacking injuries have ended their title chances, but they have made things significantly harder,” said Pennant. “I’m not saying it can’t be done, but the percentages have fallen significantly in Liverpool’s favour compared to what they were at the start of the season.

“They’re a great team with a lot of good players who can hurt you on any given day, but the injuries to Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka have reduced the possibility of them chasing down Liverpool and winning the league.

“Arsenal still have to go to some tough places as well. They still have to go to Old Trafford, Anfield, and they have Nottingham Forest and Everton away from home as well. If you’ve got no attacking threat in those games, you’re going to find it very difficult.”

Arsenal must prioritise signing a top striker

Pennant believes Mikel Arteta’s side must bring a top quality striker to the Emirates this summer, or the club risks uproar from the fans who have been calling for a new No9 for many years.

“Arsenal would be stupid not to go all out to sign a top striker this summer,” he said. “I think there would be uproar! For four seasons now, fans have insisted they need a striker in order to become the finished article, which has been proven again this season.

“You can make mistakes in the transfer market, but if you don’t learn from them that is just stupidity. If they go into next season with the same team and no No9 then questions will be asked. They needed to shore up their defence, so they signed a goalkeeper, quality defenders, and a top defensive midfielder in Declan Rice. They need to take the same approach in attack.”