CUP HAS BOUGHT ART TIME
KEVIN CAMPBELL says Mikel Arteta’s FA Cup win last season has given him breathing space — but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer doesn’t have that luxury.
The Gunners defeated Chelsea 2-1 at an empty Wembley Stadium in August. It was Arteta’s first piece of silverware since taking charge in north London eight months before.
Solskjaer has been in the Old Trafford hotseat since December 2018. But despite a solid third-place finish in the 2019-20 campaign, the Norwegian is yet to win any silverware as Manchester United manager.
Campbell, 50, a title winner with Arsenal in 1991, believes Arteta is on steadier ground than his counterpart.
He said: “I think Arsenal are in around about the same position as Manchester United, but Arsenal and Artet Arteta have the added luxury of having won a trophy w which gives him some form of leeway.
“Both sets of fans are hungry for success and both managers have to deliver that. We’re talking about two of the biggest clubs in England right now.
“Manchester United fans demand silverware, whether the manager is Solskjaer or not.
“Arsenal fans want to be able to challenge in the Premier League and get up there and back in the Champions League too. So, both Arteta and Solskjaer have to deliver.”
The Gunners have already lost three of their opening six Premier League games, including a 1-0 defeat to Leicester last Sunday.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who penned a lucrative new three-year deal in September, has drawn a blank in his past five top-flight outings.
Campbell (above) added: “Arsenal aren’t performing at the moment, but that’s not Aubameyang’s fault.
“When Arsenal are doing well, then Aubameyang plays well. If the team is below par, it’s very difficult for one player to turn it around. Aubameyang has to rely on the players around him.
“Everyone must understand that Arteta is learning on the job so he will make mistakes — that’s for sure.
“I think the team he picked to face Leicester was strong enough to win. I just don’t think Arsenal are playing to their full potential right now.”
Kevin Campbell is a GentingBet pundit. See gentingbet.com/insights