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Football London
Football London
Sport
Bobby Vincent

Mikel Arteta sent brutal Arsenal warning despite Edu backing over his job

All is not well for Arsenal at the moment.

The Gunners have been beaten in three straight games in the Premier League, which leaves them rock-bottom of the table with the pressure mounting on Mikel Arteta.

The north London club spent over £150million in the summer transfer window to try and make a dramatic improvement from what we saw last season.

Arsenal failed to qualify for European competition after an eighth-placed finish in the Premier League, which saw a rebuild of the squad over the summer, with six new signings coming to the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners take on Norwich City next weekend when the international break concludes, in a game that can be described as a must-win, even this early on in the season.

That's also the opinion of former Chelsea and England attacker Joe Cole, who thinks it could be the end of Arteta's reign as Arsenal boss should they fail to secure three points at the Emirates.

Cole told Coral via Metro : "The future at Arsenal is obviously up in the air. I know they've played Chelsea, they played Manchester City, the two best teams, but it's the manner of both defeats.

Mikel Arteta is under pressure in north London (Getty Images)

"They had all pre-season to prepare for the Brentford game and they got it wrong on the day because they weren't at it mentally.

"That has happened too much with the Arsenal. That's not Arteta's fault. It's been something that's just been like damp getting into the woodwork at the club.

"In the two defeats against the big boys, it was like they laid down and died.

"I do like how Arteta has handled the situation. He is hardening as a manager, you can see that in him. So, I think he's got that. He's obviously a well-schooled coach because of his work with Pep. He's a thoughtful guy.

"He's in the storm at the moment. He has to find a result against Norwich and if he doesn't beat Norwich, I think it's probably the end for him."

Arsenal's technical director Edu has called for patience despite the growing pressure on Arteta.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "I respect all the pressure [on Arteta]. I came in from Corinthians and then the Brazilian national team where there is unbelievable pressure, just as here.

"I understand the fans. I understand the reason and I accept that, but we will need a bit of time to do what we plan to do.

"I know this type of work, when we are talking about signings, and needing patience hurts Arsenal fans a lot, but it is the reality.

"That's why when I say to you we have to create a good foundation and to create a good foundation you need time."

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