Are Arsenal Making the Same Mistakes That Spurs Made During the Mauricio Pochettino Era?

Arsenal’s dreams of winning silverware took another devastating blow as they crashed out of the Carabao Cup semifinals against Newcastle United, losing 4-0 on aggregate. It was a sobering defeat, one that highlighted their struggles in the latter stages of cup competitions – a recurring theme under Mikel Arteta.

There’s an uneasy sense of déjà vu in North London. Arsenal fans, once euphoric about their club’s rapid ascent under Mikel Arteta, are now beginning to feel the creeping anxiety of missed opportunities. Their team is undoubtedly one of the best in England. And yet, when the dust settles at the end of each season, their trophy cabinet remains unbothered. Sounds familiar? It should, because this is eerily reminiscent of what happened to Tottenham Hotspur under Mauricio Pochettino. 

During the Poch era, Spurs went from an exciting project to a Premier League powerhouse, only to fall short time and time again when it mattered most. And now, Arsenal’s failure to strengthen in the January transfer window of 2025, coupled with their inability to cross the finish line in cup competitions, raises an uncomfortable question: Are they doomed to follow the same trajectory as their great rivals? 

The Cycle of Progress Without Reward 

Pochettino inherited a Tottenham squad that was talented but flawed. Over time, he transformed them into one of England’s most formidable sides, with a young core of Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen, and Son Heung-min leading the charge. They played fearless, high-intensity football, pushed Leicester City in the 2015-16 title race, and came agonizingly close in multiple competitions, including the 2019 Champions League final. But for all their progress, there was one glaring issue—silverware remained elusive. 

Fast forward to Arsenal under Mikel Arteta, and the parallels are striking. Much like Pochettino, Arteta inherited a club that was underperforming. He implemented a clear philosophy, developed a core of young stars like Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and William Saliba, and turned Arsenal into genuine contenders. They ran Manchester City close in the 2022-23 title race, fought in the latter stages of cup competitions, and consistently finished in the Champions League places. And yet, the trophy drought continues. Success in football is fleeting, and if it isn’t capitalized on, it can quickly turn into regret. Spurs learned this the hard way. 

The Lack of Squad Investment and Overhaul 

One of the biggest criticisms of Tottenham’s hierarchy during Pochettino’s reign was their unwillingness to invest in the squad at crucial moments. Despite coming close to Premier League and European glory, Spurs famously went through the entire 2018-19 season without signing a single player. This ultimately caught up with them. The same squad that had thrilled the league for years began to stagnate, and when injuries hit, the lack of depth was exposed. 

Arsenal’s decision to sit out the 2025 winter transfer window feels eerily similar. Their squad has undeniable quality, but football is relentless, and teams must evolve or risk decline. When you look at how their rivals such as the likes of Manchester City – who were the highest spenders in the winter transfer window – have invested, Arsenal’s inaction feels like a dangerous gamble. This is a team that has come so close to success, yet instead of doubling down and making those one or two key signings to get them over the line, they’ve stood still. Spurs made that mistake, and it cost them dearly. 

If Arsenal’s hierarchy doesn’t wake up to this reality, they may find themselves in the same painful cycle Spurs endured – always on the brink of success, but never quite getting there. 

The Maturation of a Young Team – But No End Product 

Another striking similarity between these two teams is the maturation of their young squads. Pochettino’s Spurs were full of youthful energy, dynamic pressing, and technical brilliance. Players like Kane, Son, and Alli matured into world-class talents under his guidance. But they ultimately spent their best years at the club without winning anything of note. That lack of success eventually took its toll, with players growing frustrated and the magic slowly fading away. Kane eventually left for Bayern Munich, Eriksen moved on, and Alli’s career took a downward spiral. 

Arteta’s Arsenal are at a similar crossroads. Saka, Ødegaard, and Saliba are elite players. They are young, ambitious, and hungry for trophies. But how long will they be content with “progress” if tangible success continues to elude them? The reality is, top players want medals, not just near-misses. If Arsenal don’t start delivering silverware soon, they risk their best talents looking elsewhere – just as Spurs experienced when their golden generation started to break apart. 

The Cup Exits and Near Misses 

For all the plaudits Pochettino’s Spurs received, they were specialists in heartbreak. They consistently reached the latter stages of competitions but faltered when it mattered. The 2015-16 and 2016-17 Premier League title races saw them come agonizingly close before falling short, and the 2019 Champions League final loss to Liverpool was the pinnacle of their “almost but not quite” status. By that point, it felt like their cycle had run its course. 

Arsenal’s repeated failures in major competitions are beginning to carry a similar weight. Their Carabao Cup exit in 2025, following similar disappointments in the FA Cup and Champions League, reflects a team that just can’t seem to get over the line. Much like Spurs in their peak years, Arsenal have pushed Manchester City in back-to-back title races, only to come up short. The longer this pattern continues, the more the pressure will mount – not just on the players, but on Arteta himself. 

The Eventual Decline and Painful Divorce 

Pochettino’s departure from Spurs was inevitable. After years of knocking on the door without breaking through, stagnation set in. The squad had grown tired, and the project had lost its momentum. When he was dismissed in late 2019, it felt like the painful end to an era that had promised so much but ultimately delivered little in terms of silverware. 

Arsenal’s hierarchy must take note. Arteta is one of the most promising managers in world football, but even the best coaches have a shelf life if they don’t win trophies. If the club continues to fall short, pressure will build, frustration will seep in, and the once-unbreakable bond shared between the fans and Arteta could begin to fracture. 

The Warning Signs Are There – Will Arsenal Heed Them? 

Spurs’ golden era under Pochettino should serve as a cautionary tale for Arsenal. A young, talented team can only keep pushing for so long before something gives. Arsenal have already made a major misstep by failing to strengthen their squad in January, just as Spurs did in 2018-19. If they continue to ignore the need for investment, their fate may be sealed. 

Football moves fast. Teams that hesitate, teams that rest on their laurels, teams that believe success will come naturally – they often find themselves left behind. Spurs had their chance and let it slip through their fingers. Now, Arsenal are at risk of doing the same. If their hierarchy doesn’t learn from the mistakes of their greatest rival, they may be heading toward the same painful ending – a frustrated fanbase, a disillusioned squad, and years of rebuilding ahead. 

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