Arsenal chiefs are backing Mikel Arteta, acknowledging the Covid chaos that has engulfed the club has been a major factor in the club’s worrying start.
Gunners players were booed off at half-time and full-time of Sunday’s feeble home defeat to Chelsea while Arteta was confronted by angry supporters as he drove away from the Emirates Stadium after the loss.
Having lost their opening game of the season to newly-promoted Brentford the pressure is building on Arteta following a summer that has seen the club spend in the region of £130million on new players.
But there is an acceptance from inside the Emirates that Arteta’s preparations for the season and their opening two matches have been beset by Covid-related issues, meaning he has not been able to get a full strength team out yet.
The Gunners postponed a pre-season trip to the USA due to a Covid outbreak at their training base, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Ben White and Willian have all tested positive for Covid - causing them to miss Premier League fixtures.
Indeed, Arteta continues to have the immediate backing of the Gunners hierarchy, who will keep the chequebook open heading into the final week of the transfer window.
The Gunners are keen on signing a new right-back, which could open the door for Hector Bellerin to leave, with Kieran Trippier a target - although Atletico Madrid’s valuation of the England hero is a stumbling block.
Arsenal bosses want to give Arteta enough time for his new signings to adapt and there is a realisation that process needs time.
However, sources claim that unlike last season, the club are prepared to make a tough decision on Arteta’s future later in the campaign if there is not an improvement in results once their current problems have cleared up.
The Gunners face West Brom in the Carabao Cup tomorrow, where Arteta is expected to field a strong team - a move which represents a change of tact from the club.
The competition has long been used as a tool to blood young players, however it is understood Arteta will resist the urge to play a raft of academy players at the Hawthorns.
Arsenal are not in European competition this season and with Manchester City on the horizon this weekend - the game against the Baggies represents a good opportunity for the team to notch their first win of the season before the international break.