Exclusive: Mikel Arteta sack update from Arsenal, new arrival heads in

Exclusive: Mikel Arteta sack update from Arsenal, new arrival heads in

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will not face any imminent sack pressure as new sporting director Andrea Berta arrives, sources have told Football Insider.

Football Insider revealed last week (6 March) that Arsenal’s appointment of former Atletico Madrid chief Berta is all but done.

Arteta has faced criticism from Gunners fans this term with their side once again set to fall short in the Premier League title race.

Liverpool are now 15 points clear in first, while Arsenal have already been eliminated from both domestic cup competitions.

Berta appointed with Arteta in mind as long-term boss

Club chiefs want silverware but Arteta will not be under extreme pressure to win the Champions League this term – but they feel Arsenal have a good chance of doing so.

Sources say Berta is being brought in with Arteta in mind as the long-term manager of Arsenal – who are keen for the Italian to lift the pressure on their boss by sealing deals for top summer targets.

Games275Wins162Draws50Losses63Win Percentage58.9%Honours1x FA Cup
2x Community ShieldArteta’s stats as Arsenal boss (2019-present)

They have been without a sporting director since Edu’s departure from Arsenal in November – following five years at the club.

Arteta, who was appointed at the Emirates Stadium in December 2019, and Edu had a strong relationship prior to his exit.

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The Spaniard won the FA Cup in 2020 – his only major honour as Arsenal boss.

Sesko is one of the primary striker targets at Arsenal. (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

Arsenal lead Tottenham in Sesko race

Football Insider revealed on 7 March that Arsenal are leading Tottenham in the race to sign RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko this summer.

Sesko has a £58million release clause at the Bundesliga club, who tied him down to a new contract last summer (2024).

Arteta was left angry at the Arsenal hierarchy following their failings in the January window, with injuries to Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka derailing their season.

Alan Pardew has raised new concerns over Leeds United beating Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United to the Championship title this season.

Leeds’ ambition of winning promotion back to the Premier League was dealt a heavy blow on Sunday 9 March as a single Colby Bishop goal saw Portsmouth claim an unexpected win against the league leaders.

The defeat, and the Blades’ 1-0 win over Preston North End this weekend, saw Wilder’s team move level on points at the top of the Championship table, with Burnley also now within two points.

Daniel Farke will be keen to avoid a similar situation to last season when Leicester City and Ipswich Town booted the Whites into the dreaded play-offs, but those fears could be about to become reality.

Leeds have lost for the first time in 18 matches, and with the Championship title race heating up, Pardew is worried that Farke’s side could succumb to the Blades this term due to the German’s tendencies.

Alan Pardew backs Sheffield United over Leeds United for Championship title

Speaking via live talkSPORT [10 March, 8:07pm], Pardew said: “There are a couple of things that worry me a bit about Leeds. The stats don’t sound too bad.

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“Their goal difference is +49, 76 points from 36 games, they’ve won 22 and only Sheffield United have won more with 24. But the difference with Sheffield United is the way Chris Wilder sets them up, there is less risk of them slipping up.

“They get it out, get it forward, get it quickly, get it wide and put balls in the ball, so their percentage to win games is higher. If Leeds get a little bit nervous, and the crowd get nervous, and the manager takes a few flair players… Oof.”

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Championship standingsPointsGoal difference1. Leeds76+492. Sheffield United76+243. Burnley74+39Leeds’ promotion to the Premier League no longer seems guaranteed.

Daniel Farke cannot afford to miss out on promotion again

Football Insider verdict

Leeds’ defeat to Southampton in the Championship play-off final last term had a massive effect on the squad, with Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter and Archie Gray all finding new homes.

Farke could also be risking his job at Leeds if he fails to secure promotion at the second time of asking, even despite his experience with Norwich City in this exact position.

While Joel Piroe, Dan James, Manor Solomon and Brenden Aaronson have all continued to hit the back of the net, many fans feel Leeds missed out on signing Cameron Archer in the winter transfer window.

Daniel Farke wants to take Leeds United back to the Premier League. (Credit: Imago)

Missing out on promotion could mean losing the likes of Wilfried Gnonto, Ao Tanaka and Pascal Struijk, all of whom are being linked with big-money moves away from Elland Road.

Having spent 18 years outside of the Premier League before, this could be their best chance to get back into the top tier of English football before clubs begin to raid the Whites.