When I referred to Arteta as a ‘Baby COACH,’ some of his supporters misunderstood, thinking I was criticizing them. But that’s not the case! This man needs to be fired if Arsenal is to improve, Rio Ferdinand exposes the ONE major mistake Arteta is making this season that could soon cost him his job.

Rio Ferdinand Criticizes Arteta’s Management Amid Arsenal’s Title Chase

Mikel Arteta has transformed Arsenal into a formidable side, but according to Rio Ferdinand, a major flaw in his approach could jeopardize his tenure. Ferdinand previously labeled Arteta a “baby coach,” a statement some Arsenal fans misinterpreted as criticism of the club. However, his concern lies in what he sees as Arteta’s inability to make a crucial change, which he believes is necessary for Arsenal’s success.

Under Arteta’s leadership, Arsenal has evolved from a mid-table team to genuine title contenders, finishing second in the Premier League twice. Currently, the Gunners sit in second place, trailing Liverpool by six points, though the Reds have a game in hand.

Despite their strong position, Arsenal has struggled with inconsistency in front of goal. Many argue that if Kai Havertz had been more clinical, he could be among the league’s top scorers.

Arsenal’s biggest challenge this season, apart from squad depth and injuries, has been their inefficiency in front of goal. The team creates numerous scoring opportunities but often fails to convert them.

This issue was evident in their Carabao Cup and FA Cup exits against Newcastle and Manchester United, respectively. Had they taken their chances in those games, Arsenal might have reached the Carabao Cup final and progressed further in the FA Cup.

In the Premier League, Arsenal’s wastefulness in front of goal has prevented them from capitalizing on Liverpool’s occasional slip-ups. As a result, many doubt their ability to sustain a title challenge against Jürgen Klopp’s side. Former Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has pointed out the missing piece in Arsenal’s squad—a world-class striker.

In his Daily Mail column, Souness stated that while Arteta has built an impressive team, they lack top-quality strikers needed to challenge Liverpool at the highest level.

The absence of a prolific center-forward has been glaring. Some believe that if Newcastle’s Alexander Isak were leading Arsenal’s attack, the Gunners might be topping the league. Isak’s dominant performance against Arsenal’s defense in the Carabao Cup semi-finals highlighted their need for a clinical striker.

There were hopes that Benjamin Sesko might arrive in the January transfer window, but Arsenal failed to make any attacking reinforcements.

As the season progresses, it is clear that Arsenal requires a proper striker to reach the next level. While they remain in contention for the Premier League title, many—including Souness—believe that without a top-class forward, Arsenal will continue to fall short in their pursuit of glory.