On Tuesday Morning, sources close to Arsenal revealed seven names on the club’s shortlist to replace Arsene Wenger at the end of the season.
Although nothing is confirmed yet, Tuesday’s Daily Mail and Telegraph both reported that Arsenal’s hierarchy are considering their options after the cup final defeat. The papers suggest that if Wenger fails to qualify the club for the Champions League, that could spell the end for the manager.
In preparation for the 68-year-old’s possible departure, Arsenal have drawn up a shortlist of potential replacements. Here are the seven candidates (via Telegraph):
2Mikel Arteta
Every Arsenal fan should already know Arteta from his time with the club as a player.
The Spaniard spent five years in North London, up until his retirement in 2016. After that he joined Manchester City to work as an assistant to Pep Guardiola.
Tuesday’s Telegraph says the 35-year-old is well regarded at Arsenal after his club captaincy. His existing connections with head of football relations Raul Sanllehi as well as Ivan Gazidis should help as well.
It would be a massive gamble to jump from one of the most experienced managers in the game to someone without a single day in charge of a club.
However, Arteta knows Arsenal, and he’s worked under some of the best coaches around.
Manchester City’s massive success this year should have taught him a lot.
He’s worth considering, at least.