Arsenal: It’s not the ‘qualities’ that make Mikel Arteta questionable

Arsene Wenger has made it clear that he believes Mikel Arteta has the qualities to succeed him at Arsenal, but it isn’t the quality that we don’t want.

Arsene Wenger said he does not want to be a part of appointing his own successor at Arsenal, but that doesn’t mean he can’t comment on the candidates that are being tossed about in the endless speculation of who comes next.

Mikel Arteta is the current front-runner, and Wenger has had his say on the former captain, stating that he has all the qualities to be an effective manager – which are nearly identical sentiments to what Pep Guardiola said of his right-hand man.

That’s well and good, but no one ever doubted his qualities. Surely the man understands the game, he’s served under two elite managers and played a lengthy career. Surely the man knows the club, he spent a good deal of time here.

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None of that is the problem. The problem is the lack of impact that accompanies such an appointment.

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The qualities of Arsenal football club are also as clear. The talent is overflowing, the fans are rabid, the stadium is top-class. What’s holding them back is a jolt, an injection of energy or a sudden discomfort that can force these players to, for lack of a better term, wake the hell up.

There’s no reason why the collection of players that wear this shirt can’t challenge for every major competition. yet they haven’t for years. The only steady factor has been the undeniable comfort they feel from not having any threat to their current set-up. Just look at how much Alex Iwobi and Hector Bellerin have shaped up in the weeks since Wenger announced his exit.

Throw Mikel Arteta into the managerial role and you’re accepting the current regime, accepting the old ways that have mired the club in their current predicament.

You have to make a statement if you want this club to overcome their self-made pickle. You can’t just give them more of the same and hope that he can instill the change that’s so desperately needed. That’s what happened with Wenger for a decade – patience. But patience didn’t work and, in the end, opportunities fluttered out the door, devoid of inspiration.

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Arteta may be a great manager one day, and hell, maybe he invokes the change we need. But there is nothing indicating that he would be anything more than another comfortable choice.