Alan Smith urges Arsenal to make a move for former Gunner Mikel Arteta
Arsenal should look to hand their managerial role to the man that Manchester City want to replace Pep Guardiola, according to Smith.
Arsenal is currently searching for their next permanent manager after they fired Unai Emery last week.
The Spaniard had struggled to maintain the progress he achieved with the team last season and seemed to have lost touch with what to do next.
He has been replaced by Freddie Ljungberg, but the Swede is only there temporarily and Smith believes the club should make Mikel Arteta their next manager before Manchester City does.
Arsenal has been linked with moves for established managers like Max Allegri and Mauricio Pochettino, but Smith believes this is the time for them to trust a younger and more progressive manager.
“I would like them to be bold and go for a younger, more progressive manager,” Smith told Sky Sports News per the Express. “I’d like Mikel Arteta.
“I know a lot of Arsenal fans say, ‘He’s never been a manager. How could you do that? We need tried and trusted experience’.
“But I think he’s going to be a top manager quite shortly. If Arsenal don’t get him I think somebody else will.
“If he stays at Manchester City when Pep Guardiola steps down, he’ll be a stick on to takeover.
“From what you hear of his work at Man City, he takes so much of the training, the players respect him a great deal.
“I think he’s been responsible for improvements in Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling – so I think he is excellent.
“He’s got that Arsenal connection as well. He’d be my choice.”
Arteta would be popular among some Arsenal fans but not all. Not going by some of the comments on this site. His inexperience managing a top club does count against him. I mean, why him and not Freddie Ljungberg long term?
Whoever Arsenal go for next they have to make sure it is the right choice. They can not afford any more mistakes.