Arsenal: Mikel Arteta must challenge playing days

There is a strong possibility that Mikel Arteta could be Arsenal’s next manager. If that is the case, then he must challenge the role in which he was used during his playing days in north London.

Any talk of what the new manager will do at Arsenal is pure speculation. Nobody knows who he will be, so any discussion of what effect the appointment will have on the club, the players and the future of the organisation is somewhat futile.

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Nevertheless, as a fan, I still enjoy delving into the uncertainty of conjecture, rumour and speculation. And one name who is rising to the top of the list of possible Arsene Wenger successors is Mikel Arteta. The latest hint that it could be the Manchester City coach is this interview by Pep Guardiola on Sunday:

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"“What we have done this season, Mikel his contribution was outstanding, amazing, we work together so good. If he stays I will be the happiest guy in the world and if he decides to move because he has this offer, this option, I will not say you do not have to go. I want the best for my friends and he’s a friend of mine.”"

Now, I have absolutely no idea if Arteta is even someone who the board is considering. He could be top of the list; he could be at the very bottom of a very long pecking order. I don’t know. But if Arteta is offered the job and accepts it, then there is one thing, among many others, that he absolutely must do from day one: Challenge his playing days.

Let me explain. During his time at the Emirates, Arteta was primarily fielded as the anchoring midfielder, tasked with screening the defence and setting the tempo of the team’s play in possession. His work on the ball was excellent, having previously played higher up the pitch for Everton, but he lacked the necessary athleticism to cover the ground when defending, especially against counter-attacks.

Wenger was at his worst during this time, upsetting the balance of the team drastically, building a midfield that had no defensive awareness or acumen, and continually failing to challenge for honours because of the issues at the back, which largely stemmed from their exposed positions thanks to a midfield that was overly-technical.

Arteta cannot fall into the same trap as Wenger did during his years at the club. He must not play a player like he was in the deepest-lying midfield position. He must look to find balance with a true anchorman who can aptly protect the defence, complementing the more creative, attacking players that are also present.

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This, for me, is the biggest weakness of this team. It probably has been for more than a decade. Arteta cannot hope to do what Wenger did with him. He must do something different. He must challenge his playing days.