Richard Keys makes extraordinary claim about Mikel Arteta's future at Arsenal after Man City loss

Richard Keys has made a bold claim about Mikel Arteta's future as Arsenal manager following the loss to Manchester City.

Despite boasting a nine point lead just two months ago, Arsenal are now seriously under pressure in their hopes of securing the Premier League title.

In what could be the most important result of the season, the Gunners lost 2-1 to rivals Manchester City on Sunday afternoon at the Etihad, putting Pep Guardiola's side just three points behind with a game in hand.

Should City win their upcoming match against Burnley on Wednesday (April 22), they will be level on points with Arsenal with at least an equal goal difference with only six games left in the season.

Of course, failing to win the Premier League and finishing second for the fourth consecutive season would place huge pressure on Arsenal boss Arteta.

And beIN Sports presenter Keys thinks that a failure to deliver a trophy season would prove to be insurmountable for Arteta, claiming he will be sacked if he cannot deliver this season.

“I think he’s gone as well,” Keys said after Arsenal’s defeat on Sunday.

“I’m deadly serious. If [Arsenal] come second, the only thing that might keep him in a job is winning the Champions League, but I don’t think they’re good enough to get even close.”

Co-host Andy Gray responded by noting that Arsenal currently have a spot in the Champions League semi-finals, where they will face Atletico Madrid in two legs on April 29 and May 5.

However, that wasn't enough for Keys, who claimed that Arsenal have no chance of winning the final even if they manage to beat the La Liga side to progress.

He added: "Then that’s as far as it goes. Are they better than PSG? Are they better than Bayern Munich?”

“He can’t come second again and keep his job. He cannot! If they’re not thinking now about that [potential replacements for Arteta], then they’re not doing their jobs.”

How can Arsenal or Manchester City win the Premier League?

With just weeks left in the Premier League season, the pressure is seriously mounting on both Arsenal and City to claim the title.

Arsenal, who sit atop the league with 70 points, have only five matches remaining in their Premier League season, leaving a maximum of 15 points available to them.

Those matches are Newcastle (H), Fulham (H), West Ham United (A), Burnley (H) and Crystal Palace (A).

Meanwhile City have one extra match and sit three points behind the Gunners in the table with 67.

Their remaining fixtures are Burnley (A), Everton (A), Brentford (H), Bournemouth (A), Crystal Palace (H) and Aston Villa (H).

The goal difference between the pair also remains tightly contested, with Arsenal boasting a difference of 37 while City have a difference of 36.

Last season, Liverpool won the league with 84 points, suggesting that Arsenal or City may need to win all of their remaining

Of course, the points total that the champions finish on this year could be less than Arne Slot's side in 2024/25, but it proves that every remaining fixture could be crucial in deciding the Premier League winners.