Arsenal: Mikel Arteta the right kind of risk

Per Sky Sports, Ivan Gazidis favours Mikel Arteta as Arsene Wenger’s replacement. The former midfielder and Manchester City coach is the right kind of risk for Arsenal to take.

The search for Arsene Wenger’s successor has begun. Led primarily by Ivan Gazidis, though with key influence from Sven Mislintat and Raul Sanllehi and eventually sanctioned by Stan Kroenke, Arsenal have started to shortlist several names as Wenger’s possible replacement.

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There is a vast array of names that have been rumoured with the role. From the experience of managers like Massimiliano Allegri and Carlo Ancelotti to the former-Gunners’ connection of Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira, there is a great variety of candidates. That, perhaps more than anything, makes it so difficult to nail down what the club will do.

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However, per a report from Sky Sports, Gazidis wants former captain and current Manchester City coach Mikel Arteta to succeed Wenger. Arteta is a highly-renowned coach under Pep Guardiola, reportedly extremely intelligent and innovative in his style. He obviously has a former connection to the club, which is important in regards to continuing the values that Wenger has put in place, and is touted as one of the bright young managers in English football.

The only problem is his lack of experience. And it is quite a big problem. Arteta has never worked as a manager or head coach with a senior football team, he is still only 36, having retired just two years ago, and has only ever worked in one coaching role, under Guardiola a City. The Spaniard, then, is quite a risk, allying his candidacy to Gazidis’ statement that Arsenal must be ‘bold’ in their selection.

He is also the right type of risk to make. That does not negate the fraught dangers that such an appointment would bring. But if someone without any experience is to be thrust into the role, then Arteta is the right type of individual.

Extremely intelligent and self-aware, he has always carried himself with respect. While in north London, he was a popular figure off the pitch, if often chastised for his performances on it, something that obviously would not be a concern if he was to be a manager, and he has the character qualities that continue what Wenger has instilled at the club.

He also has the chance to build a team over a number of years. He is not a stop-gap solution. He is young, vibrant, new, refreshing, and potentially culture-changing. That is the type of individual that is worth taking a risk on.

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It remains to be seen whether Arsenal will actually turn to Arteta. Sky Sports have been wrong before, and even if Gazidis does want Arteta, that does not necessarily mean that he will get him, or that the rest of the club will agree with him. Nevertheless, Arteta is the type of individual that I had been hoping would be considered for the role. He is extremely risky, but the reward is huge.