Arsenal news: Mikel Arteta told title win would have asterisk as Gunners risk losing star

Today's Arsenal news sees the Gunners told they could lose a promising youngster while a former Premier League boss had his say on the league leaders

Arsenal will be looking to shift their focus from the Premier League to the FA Cup this weekend as they face League One side Mansfield Town on Saturday. The recent mood around the Gunners has been dominated by the fallout from Wednesday night’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Brighton.

Arsenal are now seven points clear at the top of the Premier League after Manchester City were held to a 2-2 draw by Nottingham Forest. The win has sparked a heated debate over the team's style of play, with Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler launching a blistering attack on Arteta's tactics.

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Today's news sees a former Premier League manager slam the Gunners for their approach to the game. Arsenal are also facing the prospect of losing one of their young stars. Mirror Football takes a closer look.

Star tipped for exit

Ex-Arsenal striker Alan Smith believes there is 'every chance' that Gunners youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly will leave the north London club this summer.

The 19-year-old emerged as a regular under Arteta last season but has found game time hard to come by this year. The midfielder has predominantly been utilised at left-back in the senior setup and was even called up for England duty.

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Lewis-Skelly featured 42 times for Arsenal in 2024/2025 and even attracted comparisons to Wayne Rooney. However, Smith isn't sure if the youngster envisages his future at the club, despite being under contract with Arsenal until 2030.

"It's been a really difficult season for Myles Lewis-Skelly, hasn't it? He's behind two players, really, for the left-back slot," Smith told BestBettingSites.

"If he did get a chance, I'd quite like to see him in midfield. That's his position. Just see how he fares there. He's not the best of defenders, so it suits him better in midfield. He's really creative.

"I think it'll probably be a shop window for him. I think there's every chance he might leave in the summer. We'll see on that."

Premier League title warning

Former Newcastle United and West Ham boss Alan Pardew has sensationally suggested that Arsenal’s potential Premier League title should be marked with an asterisk if they go on to win the league this season.

The Gunners caused controversy with their midweek win over the Seagulls. Brighton boss Hurzeler criticised Arsenal's approach, which saw goalkeeper David Raya go down three times with injury while the Gunners managed just seven shots on goal.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Pardew addressed Arteta's cautious approach this season. He said: "When I’m looking at them with my football manager’s head on, they’re so professional. They do every bit of gamesmanship to get it over the line.

"There’ll be an asterisk next to their name [If they win the league] because you’ve only got to look at them really in these types of performances and say it’s just a functional display. It’s a professional, functional display. They’re good, they’re strong, they’re powerful. But there is nothing beautiful about them. That’s the truth."

Speaking after his side lost, Hurzeler had said: "I will never be the kind of manager who tries to win in that way. If I ask everyone in the room, did he really enjoy this game?

"I’m sure maybe one raises his arm because he’s a big Arsenal fan. Where will this go in the future? Is this what the supporters are paying for?"

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