Six Managers Arsenal Could Turn To If Arteta's Time Runs Out

Mikel Arteta finds himself under intense scrutiny. The Gunners surrendered their Premier League title advantage to Manchester City, and the pressure is building in North London.

To be fair, Arsenal's worst enemy has always been themselves. They crumbled under City's dominance in 2022/23 when Pep's side claimed the Treble, though that title race arrived too soon for a squad still maturing. The summer 2023 investment—headlined by Declan Rice's club-record move and the controversial £60million Kai Havertz addition—promised better things. Last season delivered near-flawless football in the run-in, yet the Gunners never quite threatened.

This campaign told a different story. Arsenal started as genuine favourites, and they remain so despite recent wobbles. Yet dropping two points at home to Wolves, having led 2-0, feels like a particularly bitter pill. The knives are out. Arteta's defensive pragmatism, once viewed as a strength, now draws criticism. Supporters fear another spectacular bottlejob looms.

It would represent a monumental failure, given that every other top side has disappointed this season except Manchester City, who've merely been "pretty rubbish" themselves. Still, with Arsenal playing uninspiring football and facing the prospect of another runners-up finish, questions about Arteta's long-term tenure grow louder.

The real question: are there genuinely world-class alternatives available? Managers capable of ending a two-decade Premier League drought? Here are six serious contenders.

Hansi Flick

Few managers suit Arsenal's attacking talents better than Flick. The Barcelona boss has the pedigree—one of Europe's most decorated recent coaches—and has never managed in England, which could appeal. Yet why would he leave Camp Nou? He commands an exceptional squad featuring Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Joan Garcia, Raphinha, Frenkie de Jong, and Jules Kounde. Many consider Barcelona football's biggest job.

Perhaps the Arsenal project and a genuine Premier League title challenge excite him more after two Catalan seasons. Arsenal's dynamic attacking players—Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli—desperately need a coach willing to unleash them. Flick is precisely that man.

Luis Enrique

The PSG manager has been mentioned in connection with Manchester United, but Arsenal would represent the superior opportunity if both clubs pursued him. Enrique's never managed in England, yet his CV elsewhere speaks volumes. From Celta Vigo through Barcelona and Spain to Paris, he's impressed almost everywhere except Roma.

Winning Ligue 1 with PSG matters less than claiming the Treble, particularly one featuring the Champions League. PSG's demolition of Inter in the final, combined with knockout victories over Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal, plus a league-phase win against Manchester City, demonstrates genuine elite quality. He'd inject the winning mentality Arsenal desperately needs, and with his PSG future uncertain, represents the most realistic genuinely top-tier option.

Xabi Alonso

Recently departed from Real Madrid, Alonso's next move is expected to be Liverpool—the club where he made 210 appearances as a player. Manchester City have also been mentioned, with Guardiola's future unresolved. His Madrid experience needn't concern interested parties; he inherited an impossible dressing room filled with difficult characters.

Alonso's managerial trajectory mirrors his playing career: Madrid, Bayern links, Liverpool connections. Arsenal shouldn't be overlooked. The club lacks a fractious squad and should've achieved more in recent years. Alonso wouldn't be foolish to accept an Arsenal approach, and the Gunners would be equally foolish to ignore him.

Julian Nagelsmann

Currently preparing Germany for the World Cup, Nagelsmann continues fielding interest from elite clubs. The Bayern Munich exit of 2023 represented controversy, yet he's matured considerably. A return to club management with Arsenal could prove mutually beneficial, offering him the platform to demonstrate his development.

Cesc Fabregas

Would Arsenal supporters embrace their former captain's return? Fabregas shares similarities with Arteta—a Spanish midfielder who captained the Gunners during their peak years. Both possess meticulous attention to detail that occasionally unsettles players, though productively so. Fabregas might represent a sideways move in managerial credentials, but he'd bring fresh tactical ideas, a more attacking blueprint, and command respect earned through his exceptional playing career.

Pep Guardiola

If Guardiola departs Manchester City, fatigue likely explains it—he'd probably resist another immediately demanding role. Moving directly to Arsenal would prove controversial given the rivalry, potentially causing friction at the Etihad. Yet City's squad is ageing while Arsenal's players enter their prime years. Guardiola could theoretically replicate his City dynasty in North London. Will he? Almost certainly not. But it's a pleasant daydream nonetheless.