A new clip from Rio Ferdinand’s podcast that was shared on the official X account has reignited debate around Mikel Arteta’s future at Arsenal, even as the club sits top of the Premier League heading into the end of December 2025.
The Gunners lead the table with 45 points from 19 matches, five clear of Manchester City, and belief inside the squad remains strong, as reflected in Bukayo Saka’s confidence that Arsenal can finally win the league this season, as reported by SoftFootball.
The discussion comes at a time when Arsenal are backing up that belief with performances. Their emphatic 4-1 win over Aston Villa, which ended Villa’s 11-game winning run, was seen as a major statement of intent and further proof that Arteta’s side are genuine title contenders, according to SoftFootball’s match report.
Against that backdrop, Rio Ferdinand opened the podcast by posing a deliberately provocative question, asking:
If Arteta doesn’t win the league for Arsenal, what happens next?
The intention was clear: to explore whether success is now the only acceptable outcome after years of investment and progress.
Joel Beya began to respond cautiously before Ferdinand cut in, sharpening the debate by saying:
I know where you’re going with this question. Arteta don’t win the league this year. What are you saying happens to him?
As Beya hesitated, Stephen Howson jumped straight to the extreme view, bluntly declaring:
It’s time to go!
Beya pushed back by explaining his stance that decisions should align with the club’s long-term vision, saying:
I generally think you go with what the club wants.
He later added:
If the club see him fit to stay on, then I’m backing that.
Ferdinand dismissed the idea emotionally, responding:
Oh, leave it out, Joel. I’m not having that.
The tone then shifted slightly as Ferdinand lightened the mood, joking:
Does Mikel Arteta watch the show?
He then introduced a travelling Arsenal fan to the show. When asked directly what should happen if Arsenal fall short, the fan, Tom, was decisive. His position was firm and immediate.
He simply answered:
Still in.
Beya echoed that support, replying:
Still in, of course.
Howson returned to the financial argument, questioning how much more backing Arteta would need if he failed to deliver the title.
He said:
What does he need? If he doesn’t win the title this year, what does he need? Does he need time? Does he need money? Because he’s had plenty of both.
Watch the video here:
Ferdinand joked:
He needs 500 mil.
Only for Howson to escalate it by saying:
500? Double it, Rio. Let’s start there because he’s had a billion with a B.
The debate reflects the tension around Arsenal’s progress. They are closer than ever to the title, yet expectations have never been higher.
