Is it the time for Arsenal to trust a former Gunner like Mikel Arteta?
Clubs have been trusting their former players to lead their teams in recent times and one of the most impressive examples is Chelsea’s Frank Lampard who has led Chelsea into the top four.
Mikel Arteta could replicate that, however, does he have enough experience that Arsenal needs right now?
Pros
Arteta was one of the most respected members of the dressing room when he was at Arsenal and may have the kind of control in the dressing room that Unai Emery lacks.
The fans never turned on him and he would almost certainly be very welcomed and given a honeymoon period.
Arteta also has been a member of a coaching staff that has broken all sorts of records in England. As the assistant manager of Manchester City sat beside Pep Guardiola they have dominated the English game. Could he bring that sort of winning mentality to Arsenal?
He understands the Arsenal culture and what the fans want.
Cons
Although Arteta has been at Manchester City for the past two seasons, he has been the assistant manager and it remains a gamble for whichever club takes him on as manager.
While Frank Lampard and Steven Gerard are enjoying spells as head coaches, it is a lot different being an assistant. In better words, being an assistant of a successful manager is no guarantee of success.
Arteta could turn out to be a successful manager like Lampard or a struggling one like Thierry Henry. Can Arsenal afford to take that sort of risk while the club is in crisis?
Risks aside, would Arteta really be the best Arsenal can get? Surely there are better options available. That is no disrespect to the Spaniard, but he is no Allegri.
This is the fifth in a series of articles that I will be doing and all words are my own perception and opinion.