Arsenal: Top 5 Arsene Wenger replacements

2. Mikel Arteta

Of all the people to be linked with the Arsenal job, there are only two that do not have any experience as a head coach or manager of a senior football team: Thierry Henry and Mikel Arteta. Both have completed their coaching badges. Both are working as coaches now. Both have a prior connection to the club. But only one has had direct influence from Pep Guardiola. Only one is regarded as one of the brightest young coaches in the game. Only one, for me, is a viable option to replace Wenger.

Arteta was always an extremely sharp and intelligent footballer. He understood the game better than most. He has now tailored that experience with the direct input from one of the greatest managers in the history of the game. In terms of natural coaching ability, Arteta, even without ever having been a manager before, might be the best of the bunch.

But he is a risk. A huge risk. But let’s be honest, this job is going to be incredibly tough for any manager. Just look at Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson. So why not take a risk? If it’s going to be difficult even for a more certified coach, why not take a risk on a less experienced but much higher-upside option like Arteta?