Arsenal: Arsene Wenger seals Mikel Arteta deal

Arsene Wenger has backed Mikel Arteta to have the qualities to succeed him at the Emirates. That, for me, seals the deal: Arteta will be the new Arsenal manager.

Arsenal are still conducting their search for a new manager. It has been three days short of a month since Arsene Wenger made the announcement that he was to leave the club after 22 years in charge at the end of the season.

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Although the club wanted to be respectful to Wenger and not go snooping around for a replacement while the season was still ongoing, they have had plenty of time to make their plans and put them in place. I believe that the decision is coming very soon.

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Firstly, there are time constraints. The World Cup and earlier transfer deadline make this a congested summer. Arsenal need to move fast to begin their preparations for next season. Then there is the fact that potential candidates are seemingly ruling themselves out. Joachim Low has signed a new contract with Germany; Massimiliano Allegri has been speaking as if he will be at Juventus next season; Patrick Vieira is simply concentrating on his work with New York City FC.

So a decision is coming, and I believe that it is fairly clear who it’s going to be. This is Wenger speaking a few weeks ago when asked about who his successor could be:

"“Publicly I think it is better I do not talk about it. It can disadvantage the other candidates and I don’t want to put pressure on people. It is better that they feel completely free to take who they want.”"

And this is Wenger speaking on Thursday regarding Mikel Arteta and whether he has the qualities to succeed him at the Emirates:

"“He has all the qualities to do the job, yes, and I think as well he is one of the favourites. He was a leader, and he has a good passion for the game and he knows the club well, he knows what is important at the club and he was captain of the club. Why not?”"

Quite the change in tune. And Wenger is not one to lightly betray his word. What he says publicly is of great value and authority. He very carefully chooses how he phrases things in public, acutely aware of the many ramifications that it can have on people even quite far afield. These comments, for me, seal the deal.

It was already looking as though Arteta would be Arsenal’s next manager anyway. The odds had been slashed drastically, the interviews had been undertaken, Pep Guardiola was talking as if Arteta had an option to leave, stating that he wouldn’t stand in his way, and there had been little movement for other potential appointments other than Allegri, who has now seemingly ruled himself out.

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But if I had any doubt before that Arteta may not be Arsenal manager, then I don’t know. I have been wrong before. I will be wrong again. But, to me, it looks as though Arteta will be Wenger’s successor.