Arsenal news: Mikel Arteta given sack warning as former Gunners transfer chief finds new club

Arsenal began their Champions League campaign against Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday night, but attention will soon turn back to the Premier League. Mikel Arteta's side looked sharp in their victory over Nottingham Forest last Saturday, and have the joint-best defensive record in the competition, but there's a real test on the horizon.

The Gunners have already taken on Manchester United and Liverpool away from home, and Manchester City are next up on Sunday. City will have a little less preparation time, though, with their European campaign getting up and running on Thursday against Napoli.

With the exception of the defeat at Liverpool, Arteta's side have looked sharp in the league. They finished 10 points off the pace in an injury-hit 2024/25 campaign, but will hope a busy summer has left them better equipped to put up a serious fight for top spot this term.

Mikel Arteta has secured three successive runner-up finishes to put Arsenal very much back among the big boys domestically. Questions are beginning to be asked over how long he can go without a major trophy, though plenty of fans are simply happy to be over the difficult years which came before his arrival.

Arteta's achievements were in focus before the trip to Bilbao, and that's one of today's topics of discussion. Here are Mirror Football's latest lines from the red half of North London.

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Arteta handed sack warning

Former Premier League striker Stan Collymore has warned Mikel Arteta he risks the sack if Arsenal have another season without a trophy. Arteta led his team to the FA Cup in 2020, but has been unable to add to it since.

"Does Arteta need to get his hand on silverware this season? Without a doubt," Collymore told 10Bet Casino, arguing the amount of money the Gunners have spent makes a trophy a must. "The pressure is on Mikel Arteta and Arsenal to win something.

"When I say win something, he’d be able to limp on if he won one or both League Cup and FA Cups, that would be taken as some kind of proof of a change. But really, he’s got to get his hands on the Premier League or the Champions League this season."

Ayto back in the Premier League

Former Arsenal transfer chief Jason Ayto is back in the Premier League, joining Brighton as their new sporting director. Ayto held an equivalent role with Arsenal on an interim basis in between Edu and Andrea Berta, and was heavily involved in the move to bring Martin Zubimendi to North London.

“I’m honoured to be appointed sporting director at Brighton & Hove Albion and I’m very grateful to [owner] Tony Bloom, [CEO] Paul Barber and the board for this opportunity.," Ayto said. “This is a special club, admired across the footballing world for its culture, ambition and smart thinking, all of which has underpinned some remarkable progress in recent years.

“To be joining at a time when there is such a strong desire to build on those excellent foundations, innovate further, and bring success is incredibly exciting. I’m looking forward to getting started and working with, and supporting both our head coaches Fabian Hurzeler and Dario Vidosic, and their respective playing squads.”

Raya gives Zubimendi verdict

David Raya has sung the praises of club and international team-mate Martin Zubimendi. Summer signing Zubimendi scored his first two Gunners goals against Nottingham Forest, smashing home a volley from the edge of the box and following it with a late headed effort.

“He’s incredible,” Raya told club media when speaking about his compatriot. “I’ve shared the dressing room with him with the national team and now he’s here he’s even surprised me even more.

“He’s a player that’s so intelligent. He knows how to play for the team, he doesn’t play for himself. His positioning in defence and attack is incredible. It’s a credit to have him.”

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