The Spaniard has won only two of their last 10 Premier League games, leading to fans demanding he be sacked.

After yet another disappointing defeat, the Arsenal hierarchy have finally issued a public statement regarding the future of under-fire manager Mikel Arteta. Silence was no longer an option given the growing outcry for the Spaniard's dismissal, with the club going breaking their silence regarding this matter on the eve of their crucial Premier League clash against Southampton.

Things got worse for the gaffer after his side fell to another embarrassing home defeat, losing 1-0 to Burnley for a fourth straight Emirates Stadium loss. There was a caveat as Granit Xhaka got sent off after a moment of madness from the Swiss midfielder, but this mattered for little as the Gunners are now winless in their last five Premier League games and have triumphed only twice in their last 10, with all but one of the remaining eight games ending in defeats.

This is a far cry from the mood at the start of the season, with Mikel's side kicking off the campaign with much optimism after winning the FA Cup title a few months into his tenure. Given the performance and the fact that Arteta was not a popular appointment from the get-go, large portions of the fan base wish to see the inexperienced Spaniard sacked.

The club's technical director Edu has now come out and spoken on this matter, offering an update that might not sit well with the fans.

"Everything here is right and if you see the way we're going, I can see a big, big, big and beautiful future," Edu said, as per the Sun.

And just like that, Arteta received the backing of the club. Despite this, Arsenal are only five points above the relegation zone and should the team drop into the danger zone, one can expect their stance to change.

Edu did not stop there as he looked to dismiss rumors that the boss has lost the dressing room. Reports emerged claiming Mikel and David Luiz, the experienced center-back who lavished the gaffer with praise early on in his reign, are no longer on speaking terms. This kind of strenuous relationship was what occurred in the build-up to Emery's sacking, but according to the technical director, everything remains harmonious between the squad and the manager.

"If we started to see internal problems, if the players didn't believe any more or the staff was not good enough, I would say 'I'm a bit worried'.

"But I am here every day from nine to six and I can see that everything is right.

"We knew it would not be easy when Mikel replaced Unai Emery but he is doing a great job and the way we're going is making me believe a lot in the future.

"It's very strange to be saying this considering where we are right now but our results do not compare with the quality of the work and the way we're building things on a daily basis.

"I have started to hear rumors from outside the club that some of the players don't believe in Mikel, that some of them have a problem and are not talking but it's not right.

"Nothing like that has happened and I want people to understand because everybody believes in what we are doing and all the staff are enjoying it.

"So I am here to give you the word that everything is fine internally and though the results aren't coming, I think we're going to change it very soon."

This seems to be the case as David Luiz's representative have denied claims that there is a rift between the Brazilian and Spaniard. Furthermore, Kieran Tierney's passionate post-match interview after the Burnley defeat, which has now gone viral, suggests that the dressing room is still firmly behind Arteta, with the Scottish defender praising the tactician while pinning the blame for their recent misfortunes on themselves, the players.

Edu carried on, stressing the importance of stability after several structural changes in the wake of Wenger's departure in 2018. He added: "It would be very unfair if we were not patient with Mikel after all the challenges we have faced this year.

"This club needs stability. Since we arrived it's been changing and changing and now it's time to try to be a stable club again in the old sense."

Furthermore, the former Invincible added that while Arsenal will be open to doing business in January, he warned fans to manage their expectations. The north London giants have been linked with several playmakers to solve their creativity issue, but Edu's worrisome comment hints that there might be no signings until the summer. 

 

Match details, result and original broadcast info

Arsenal 1 - 1 Southampton

December 16, 2020 1:00pmEmirates Stadium (London)

This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.

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