Arsenal can repeat managerial masterclass to replace Mikel Arteta after exit decision looms

Arsenal have the tough reality of potentially losing Jack Wilshere but the success of Mikel Arteta should give them encouragement

When Mikel Arteta left Arsenal following his retirement from the sport, there were some concerns that his expertise would indeed benefit rivals Manchester City. Those fears were certainly realised when he went on to aid in several cup competition successes and league titles, beating his former club as an assistant coach to Pep Guardiola on a regular occasion.

Thankfully, Arteta has since returned to Arsenal and is now leading the charge to take on City in the race for the title. He has come close twice and is hoping this will be third time lucky in his fifth full season in charge.

During his tenure, several other former players have either joined him in roles at the club or were already a part of the setup. Edu Gaspar is now the sporting director while Per Mertesacker is head of the academy.

Jack Wilshere was also offered a chance to hone his coaching skills with the Arsenal under-18s following the premature end to his playing career. He has had great success, helping to improve players like Chido Obi-Martin or Max Dowman.

His successes have led to interest from other clubs and now Norwich City have been granted permission to speak to Wilshere about a first team coaching role at the Championship side. An excellent opportunity and gateway into the senior coaching world.

Arsenal would be losing a big asset, who would need replacing. Yet, as they look at losing Arteta all those years ago to City and the eventual benefit they got from this, perhaps a repeat could indeed happen?

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Arteta is not close to leaving the club and having signed a new contract earlier this year, will be with the Gunners for the foreseeable future. However, one day, he will leave and will need to be replaced.

Having Arsenal DNA in key positions at the club has done them exceptionally well. Should Wilshere continue to grow and develop as a coach, that might stand him in good stead should one day the club he played for and flourished at for many years be on the lookout for a new coach.

Asked about Wilshere in his Friday press conference, Arteta said: “He’s been great – obviously, everyone knows about the career, about his character, and he’s a really special personality. His attachments to the football club – he’s unique, he has this aura, this charisma, the way he connects to the club and to the people.

“Since he’s come here, he’s had a real impact. He’s been a real inspiration for the kids because of his history with the club and the way he did it, in the manner that he did it. What comes next is his decision and the club’s as well.”

Arsenal are already in the process of looking for a new women’s team head coach after the resignation of Jonas Eidevall. This might indeed ready the likes of Edu, who is overseeing the replacement, for similar instances in the men’s side should indeed that day come.

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