The topic of Mikel Arterta as Arsenal manager is always going to be a contentious issue. While he has been in charge, the feelings towards him have been mixed. Most want to see the back of him while there are those who support him.
Last season, the latter group's faith almost paid off with a title win. This, however, came to naught as a dip in form at the business end of the season cost them. Even after this, all Arsenal fans, regardless if they back their manager or not, should have looked on the brighter side of things. Last season could have been a prelude of what's to come.
Fast forward to this season, it looked promising. Their start began like the previous season. They were producing good results and performing well. It has all come crumbling down for them. There were a few draws and a loss before this slump started. Their current dip has resulted in them being in 4th position in the league.
In the past, Arterta's form has been up and down. This form has been mostly downward. For whatever reason, the owners have chosen to constantly turn a blind eye. Arsenal's previous manager - Unai Emery - got sacked for less. If this trend continues, a bright future is only a pipe dream to the fans. It seems to me that under Arterta, there are mostly going to be difficult and hard times. Last season should have put a high line of expectations and a standard bearer. Any deviation to this should be punished.
Just because you show faith in a single person to lead the way forward doesn't mean that they should get a lifetime pass. There's got to be a time when enough is enough. If they have met expectations over and over again then leave them be. However, this particular instance is not the case. In the +/- 4 years that Arterta has been in charge, his only success has been the FA Cup - which came in his 1st season in charge. To any owner, this should be considered unacceptable and make the decision to make a change.
Another aspect that needs to be heard (literally) are the fans. The majority of the fans (as I've stated above) want a new and a fresh approach to things. Even a famous Gooner in Piers Morgan has called out Arsenal and Mikel Arterta after their FA Cup defeat to Liverpool. He urges them to sign a striker or letting the rest of the season go down the drain. This is easier said than done. To me, whenever fans make a statement of what they want done, the owners simply cover their ears and say, "Blah blah blah." A well known example of this is the United fans constant protest of the Glazer's ownership of the club. An invasion of the pitch and ergo a postponement of a match didn't hit their radar.
Ultimately, there has to be a point where the owners finally track the progress and success of their respective managers. Sometimes, patience pays off well e.g. Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. However, comparing Klopp and Arterta is apples and oranges. The former has a proven track record while the latter doesn't. Klopp has won various trophies while Arterta has one. To me, the moral of this post is this: give Arterta the boot and give Arsenal, the club and the fans, a new lease of life.