Arsenal’s title hopes took another major hit with their recent defeat to West Ham, leaving them 11 points adrift of league leaders Liverpool. While Mikel Arteta’s job remains secure for now, frustration is growing among some fans over the club’s lack of silverware. Former Arsenal forward Jay Bothroyd believes Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola could be the ideal candidate to take over if a change is made.
Arteta’s Growing Pressure and Injury Struggles
Arteta signed a contract extension in September when Arsenal were in a strong position, but their recent dip in form has raised concerns. Injuries to key players like Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, and Kai Havertz have significantly weakened the squad, making a deep Champions League run increasingly unlikely.
Despite these setbacks, Arteta remains determined to fight for success. Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Nottingham Forest, he emphasized his pride in how the team has battled adversity:
“If somebody tells you at the start of the season that by this time you will have played five times with a red card, over half an hour in each of them, and you have lost this amount of players, what’s the bet you are in the middle of the table at least, and you are out of the Champions League?”
“But that’s not the situation, so that tells you the resilience, the resources, and the ambition the team has.”
Could Iraola Be the Right Man for Arsenal?
While there’s no suggestion that Arteta’s job is immediately under threat, Bothroyd has highlighted Iraola as a potential future successor.
The Bournemouth manager has impressed in the Premier League, guiding his side to notable victories and keeping them in contention for European qualification.
Speaking to the BBC, Bothroyd explained:
“When it comes to Iraola and the job that he’s done at Bournemouth, Arsenal need something like that. As much as I am not on that level of saying Arteta out, a lot of people are.”
“If Arteta doesn’t do what he’s supposed to do—which is to get trophies—then someone like Iraola could be on the hit list for somewhere like Arsenal.”
Competition for Top Managers
If Arsenal were to part ways with Arteta, they would face stiff competition for managerial talent. Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso has been frequently linked with top jobs, including Real Madrid, should Carlo Ancelotti leave.
Iraola, however, could present a more realistic target, given his ability to overachieve with a smaller squad.
For now, Arteta remains focused on closing the gap to Liverpool and keeping Arsenal in the title race. But with expectations rising, the pressure to deliver silverware will only grow. Could Iraola be the next man in line if Arsenal seek a change?