Why I Think Arteta Is A Fine Choice As Arsenal Manager

The day not many Gooners have ever thought of has finally arrived. Arsen has completed his final game as manager and his planning for life after resigning from Arsenal. The season may have ended but with the World Cup looming there is not much time between now and the start of the new season. A manager needs to be secured as soon as possible in order to acclimatize to the job, set his goals, evaluate the team, select his transfer targets with the sporting director. Thats quit a bit of work and before you know it August comes around.

Candidates for the Arsenal job

Now all eyes are on who will be the next man for the job. So far we've seen a few names linked with the job but nothing concrete while Mikel Arteta seems to be a firm favourite for the job. I know the name doesn't really inspire confidence with Fans wanting a big name like Allegri, Simione or Tuchel but is Mikel such a bad option?

I'm convinced it could be another stroke of genius from Arsenal bringing in an unknown entity and giving him time to create his own legacy, someone we can live with for the next 10 - 22 years.

Image from BBC

Why Arteta would make a good manager

He has the support of Wenger

Arsene Wenger says Mikel Arteta has "all of the qualities" needed to succeed him as Arsenal manager. Former captain Arteta is among the candidates to replace Wenger, who left at the end of the season after 22 years in charge and is currently a coach at champions Manchester City.

"He was a leader, has good passion for the game, knows the club and knows what is important at the club," Wenger said. Wenger, 68, told Bein Sports: "Overall he has the qualities but I don't want to influence that publicly."
"I believe it is important they make their choice in an objective way and after made that decision I will support him."

Arteta, who has never managed a team, took up a role at City under manager Pep Guardiola in 2016.

His a former captain

He will know many of the players very well and they will have respect based on that relationship and being a former captain his no stranger to barking orders and getting his troops inline.

He knows the Arsenal way

The Spaniard Arteta, now 36, played 150 games for Arsenal during his time at the club and he fit in seamlessly when he first arrived. He will be able to bring continuity in terms of training methods and playing style while creating a new identity for himself and Arsenal.

His a fan favourite

I'm a huge fan of Mikel, he always gave 100% and bled for the team I could never fault his commitment to Arsenal football club and i'm sure as a manager he will take that passion back to The Emirates.

He speaks English

In the modern game this often goes unnoticed but speaking English helps you get your ideas across faster and removes misunderstandings and of corse blunders with the press.

His worked with talented managers

Arteta has had the privilge of working with both Arsen and Pep and having that kind of indepth experience from top managers and then using that in combination with your own ideas and footballing experience could set him apart from other candidates who have already become set in their ways of setting up a team and their tactics. He will have the opporunity to mould the team in his own image with his own brand of football.

The Artistry of Arteta

Perhaps I am biased since I'll openly admit to having a soft spot for Miki! He came into the Arsenal squad at a time when we lost many of our most promising midfielders in Hleb, Cesc and Song and was taken from Everton where he played in a more forward Central midfield and even at times a number 10 to a deep-lying playmaker and midfield enforcer.

I always saw Mikel as more of a Xavi or Iniesta type but coming to Arsenal he openly admitted he had to change his game and tried to model it on Busquets and while he did an admirable job and took the captain's armband he never really had the best time in that role. In one of the most selfless acts in football, he sacrificed himself and his natural style of play for a conservative role in order to get the best out of his teammates like Jacky, Rosicky, Arron and the like.

His defending and screening was as good as one can be moving into a new position and not being a specialist but what he brought to the team was the ability to set the tempo. He can play fast, he can play slow he can make the game tick, he can recover possession and most of all he could pick a pass like very few players in the EPL. His ability to read the game was second to none and I feel these are traits that can help you transition into a good manager.

Arteta's best moments at Arsenal

If you've forgotten what Arteta was about, then I urgue you to check out this video called the Artistry of Arteta

Have your say

What do you think about having Mikel at the Arsenal helm? Who would you like to see take over at Arsenal?

Drop me a comment and let me know what you think!

Let's connect

For more on Arsenal and my opinion as a Gooner feel free to follow me @chekohler