When Arsenal parted ways with Arsene Wenger back in the summer of 2018 there were a number of candidates linked with succeeding the Frenchman. Although there were plenty of reports suggesting Mikel Arteta had held talks with the club over the role, it has since been confirmed by the Athletic that the former Arsenal midfielder was definitely in the running to take over from his former boss.
According to the Mirror, despite the club opting to go with Emery over their former midfielder, the 37-year-old remains on their radar. Arteta currently works under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and is rated extremely highly within the world of football. Given the recent run of results and performances, Arteta would be welcomed with open arms by these supporters.
Yes please
— Chuck Manjoume (@CManjoume) November 4, 2019
Emery out – arteta in – immediately
— Martin (@Mar_TinGre_Gor) November 4, 2019
Get him in
— Josh (@Gunnersman21) November 4, 2019
This is the guy to bring us back from Unai’s blink, why they didn’t get him is a puzzles
— Noreen Porritt (@Farai48) November 4, 2019
Come back home
— Henry’s Lost Son (@sebastiankivel) November 3, 2019
Young and hungry!
— Tracy corbin (@TCA7X) November 4, 2019
What do we think?
Given Arteta was reportedly unhappy with a lack of control around transfers, therefore ruling himself out of the running, it’s difficult to see the Spaniard take a u-turn and go against his principles if Arsenal were to come calling again. The Spaniard’s reputation continues to grow working alongside arguably the worlds finest coach in Pep Guardiola and given the desire he’s shown to learn and develop as a coach so far, he will almost certainly step into management at some point.
Whether the Arsenal job would present the type of opportunity Arteta is looking for remains to be seen. Although it’s clear the wider fan base have grown frustrated under Emery’s leadership, for as long as the former Sevilla and Paris Saint-Germain boss has the support of the board, talk of his replacement will be dismissed as premature.