Former Liverpool defender, Steve Nicol has tipped Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta to be the first Premier League manager to be sacked next season, following two consecutive eighth-place finishes in two seasons.
Arteta led Arsenal to fifth last season but ended up beaten to the Champions League spot by their North London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur.
Nicol, while speaking to ESPN said:
“I think Mikel Arteta [could be the first manager sacked] because they had a horrible start and everyone wanted him out, slowly they built it up and got themselves into fourth but by the end of the season, Arteta was under pressure.
“They really fell off, so if they start badly again he could be the first one to go.”
Gunners fans called for the sack of the Spaniard repeatedly during the past season, following some woeful performances by the team.
Arsenal was in a strong position to qualify for the Champions League until their strong form was blighted by poor performances following the injuries of key players such as Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney.