Head coach Mikel Arteta has just three games to save his Arsenal job, according to reports coming out of Italy.
Talksport have picked up on Calcio Mercato claiming that Arteta must start picking up results quickly, with former Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri the favourite to replace the Spaniard if things don’t improve. And fast.
Arteta has been in the Emirates hotseat for less than a year after the Gunners persuaded their former player to leave his job as Pep Guardiola’s right-hand man at Manchester City last December.
Failure to claim three points at home to Burnley on Sunday would ramp up the pressure in what will be a hectic six-day schedule.
This is followed by tricky contests with in-form Southampton, at home, on Wednesday, and a trip to Everton next Saturday.
After a promising start to his Arsenal tenure, capped by lifting the FA Cup in August, things have gone rapidly downhill.
The Gunners sit a lowly 15th in the top flight, seven points above the relegation places following six defeats in their opening 11 games. It is their worst start to a campaign for 45 years.
The Italian outlet added that Arsenal are already assessing possible candidates to succeed Arteta, with ex-Juventus chief Allegri a top target.
Allegri remains out of work after leaving Juve 18 months ago, having guided the Old Lady to four successive league and cup doubles followed by a fifth Serie A title in his final season.
And Watford striker Troy Deeney believes Arsenal could cut their boss loose even earlier.
“I think he [Arteta] has to come under criticism, ultimately because of where they are,” he told Talksport.
“For me, and I’ll go out on a limb here, if they lose [to Burnley] he is massively under pressure.
“I’d be surprised, but if they lose and the ones around them win, and they are looking more backwards than upwards, he would be under pressure to keep his job.”