Ex-PL CEO: This is why I have 'no sympathy' for Mikel Arteta at Arsenal
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Arsenal: Keith Wyness has ‘no sympathy’ for Mikel Arteta as pressure builds on Gunners Tue 31 March 2026 17:15, UK Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has got everything he asked for as pressure continues to grow on the club to win a major trophy.That is according to Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, as the former Everton chief executive drops his verdict on how many trophies he thinks Arsenal will win this season.Arteta’s side failed to win the Carabao Cup final before the international break, in an underwhelming display which handed a trophy to rivals Manchester City.The Gunners remain nine points above Man City in the Premier League table with seven matches remaining, but Arteta has seen 11 players return to the club from international duty before their FA Cup quarter-final with Southampton.Arsenal could end a 22-year wait for a Premier League title, whilst they remain in with a chance of winning their first ever Champions League trophy this season. ⚽ Arsenal Matchday ⚽ Team news, line-ups, expert verdicts and previews, and tactical analysis for every Gunners fixture. VISIT THE ARSENAL MATCH HUB MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES The ‘pressure is on Mikel Arteta’ ahead of season finaleEverton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes Arsenal have got be able to handle the pressure if they are going to win trophies.Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks Arteta can’t make excuses as he has got everything he asked for at the club.Games Managed339Games Won210Games Drawn58Games Lost71Mikel Arteta’s managerial record in all competitions at Arsenal.He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Look, the pressure is on because the money’s been spent, and he’s had what he’s asked for.“He has been given the backing, so of course the pressure is on, as it should be with a manager who gets what he wants.
There’s got to be an element of pressure, and you’ve got to be able to handle it at the top, that’s what makes the winners. I mean, he wanted it.
“So yes, the pressure’s on, but Mikel is a very tough cookie. And so I think they’ll get through it, and they’ll come back with one or two trophies this season.” Who could benefit from Arsenal injuries vs Southampton?Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that he believes Arteta will be concerned at Arsenal stars leaving their international teams to return to north London.Arteta could have a thinner squad than usual to choose from against Southampton, with the likes of Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba all potentially missing.The injuries though could give a chance to fringe players like Myles Lewis-Skelly and Gabriel Jesus to stake their claim for more minutes between now and the end of the season.Arteta would have been expected to make changes regardless of injury worries, and 16-year-old Max Dowman will hope to be given another chance to shine in the first team. 💰 ARSENAL INSIDER UPDATE 💰 Inside the transfer budget, player wages, new kits, off-pitch deals and boardroom developments at Emirates Stadium.