Arsenal are having their best campaign in years, finding themselves within a touching distance of the title. But the man behind the success might not be at the helm next season.
Mikel Arteta has transformed the Gunners’ fortune by introducing a possession-based football that has seldom been figured out by opposing teams this season.
Their recent rise has seen them leave Liverpool, Chelsea, and their city rivals Tottenham Hotspur far behind. And even Erling Haaland and Pep Guardiola-led Manchester City are trailing them by four points with a game in hand.
Arteta has rejuvenated Arsenal
The North London giants have lost just three league games all season, and as things stand, are the favourites to lift the Premier League.
However, Arsenal’s success under Arteta might put the club’s future beyond the summer in uncertainty, with the Spaniard attracting interest from European powerhouses. Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are reported to be circling for his services.
And if Rio Ferdinand’s recent comments are to be believed, Arteta already has his sights set on one of the biggest managerial jobs in world football.
“You’ve got to keep Arteta, first and foremost,” the former Manchester United defender said on his YouTube show Vibe with Five (via Spanish outlet).
“I heard something… I heard that Real Madrid (are interested) and when they come knocking your players will be coachless.
“I heard Ancelotti, Don Carlo, the eyebrow, he might be getting off, and that Arteta is looking to go to Real Madrid. That’s the rumour on the streets. The streets are talking.”
With Arsenal involved in a nail-biting title race with City, it’s only fair to assume that Arteta is fully focused on maintaining a gap with Guardiola’s side. The fixture between the two sides at the Etihad Stadium is likely to have a big say in the race.
Ancelotti’s uncertain future at Real Madrid
But nothing can be guaranteed after the end of the season. And the same applies to Carlo Ancelotti’s position at Real Madrid.
Ancelotti has done a fine job in cup competitions with Los Blancos, who progressed to the semi-finals of the Champions League by putting Chelsea aside 4-0 on aggregate. In the Copa del Rey, Real smashed four past Barcelona to secure a place in the finals against Rayo Vallecano. However, the situation in the league is not as encouraging, with Barcelona 11 points ahead of the second-placed Madrid outfit.
A lot can change if Ancelotti manages to win another Champions League or complete his trophy haul in his second stint at Santiago Bernabeu by lifting the Copa del Rey. But for now, many believe that Real will look for a new manager following the end of the current campaign.
In that situation, they should definitely make an attempt to appoint the former Everton and PSG midfielder. Arteta has shown that not only he’s tactically a top and inventive coach, but also a manager who maintains authority. He has a total grip on the Arsenal dressing room and can certainly have the same influence in the Spanish capital if given the opportunity.
