Mikel Arteta has failed to rectify major Arsenal problem despite huge transfer outlay

Mikel Arteta has been told that he has failed to rectify Arsenal's biggest issue when it comes to challenging Manchester City for the Premier League title.

Arsenal have finished as runners-up to City in each of the last two Premier League seasons - five points behind in 2022/23 and then two points adrift in 2023/24.

There was hope and optimism that the Gunners would go one better this time around and claim their first crown since 2004. But injuries have hit Arteta's side hard and after 11 games of the season they are nine points adrift of league leaders Liverpool.

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And Gunners legend Emmanuel Petit believes the biggest issue from the past two seasons has not been rectified despite huge sums of money being spent in the transfer windows.

Speaking to CasinoHawks, Petit said: "Something has changed this season under Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, but that was forced upon the manager with Martin Odegaard out for so long.

"Arsenal are not the same team when they have injuries, they don’t have enough quality players and that means they cannot rotate and still be as strong.

"Some of their big players like Declan Rice have looked tired since the start of the season, they look like they are suffering. Arteta has had so many problems to deal with including Bukayo Saka and Ben White. It’s too much."

Despite the struggles so far this season, the Gunners remain in the hunt for the top four and could still mount a title challenge. But they are reliant on Liverpool and City slipping up somewhere along the line.

Petit added: "Arsenal fans are not stupid enough to turn on Mikel Arteta. They know what a great job he has done so far and know they can make a difference by supporting their team.

"Arteta has made a huge commitment to the club and they have struggled this season due to injuries and the amount of games they have had to play."