Arsenal's Mikel Arteta sack countdown has begun with key transfer decisions coming

will show faith in despite a fifth consecutive trophyless season. The Spaniard deserves the opportunity to guide the Gunners in 2025-26, having been chiefly responsible for their vast improvement during his tenure. However, the upcoming summer transfer window will be the sliding doors moment that begins the countdown to his eventual departure.

Last summer, Arsenal got their transfer activity badly wrong. When a striker was desperately needed, resources were pumped into signing Riccardo Calafiori and adding depth to midfield. Raheem Sterling, who has played only 433 Premier League minutes, was the best attacking addition the Emirates Stadium hierarchy could identify.

After another season without silverware, Arsenal cannot afford to make those mistakes. Their recruitment over the coming months must be direct and ruthless. A striker is the priority. Other than a potential upgrade on the left wing, there is no other area of Arsenal's squad that needs major attention.

Arsenal have badly lacked a focal point in their attack this season. When one arrives in the summer, there can no longer be any excuses.

Whether it be Alexander Isak, Benjamin Sesko, Hugo Ekitike or another prolific forward, Arteta's Arsenal will then be judged on how close they come to winning a trophy. Another barren year and the 43-year-old's time might be up. Thanks for putting Arsenal on the right path but there needs to be a change in mentality to breach the final hurdle.

Many onlookers will feel that this term was the perfect opportunity for the club to end 20 years without a Premier League title, five years after they won the FA Cup during Arteta's first season.

Everything seemed to open up for Arsenal. There was pre-season uncertainty over how Liverpool and Chelsea would perform under new management. Manchester City then stumbled. Manchester United and Tottenham have been nowhere near the Premier League contenders all season. United and Newcastle inflicted domestic cup defeats in ties Arsenal, on paper, would have fancied their chances.

This was supposed to be Arsenal's year - until it was not. Injuries can be partially blamed, but there has been deep-rooted inconsistency and the loss of form to key players. At times, the mood surrounding Arsenal has felt slightly off.

The north Londoners are 15 points behind runaway champions Liverpool with three games remaining. They may still finish below second in what was supposed to be a two-horse race. Their Champions League campaign showed tangible signs of progress - Arsenal are now expected to reach these huge occasions, when only 18 months ago they were not.

Elimination by a fantastic Paris Saint-Germain team presents little shame. Would Arsenal have beaten Inter Milan, or even Barcelona - who were beaten by the Italian outfit - in the final? That is unclear. That shows there is still progress to be made before the Gunners can say they are genuine contenders for every trophy.

Arteta has enough credit in the bank to cruise through next season as Arsenal's manager. Another year of near-misses and running out of steam will likely spell the end of his influential time in charge.