The Arsenal Succession Plan: Who Replaces Arteta if the Title Slips Away Again?

The narrative at Arsenal is becoming uncomfortably familiar. A commanding position—nine points clear—has evaporated to just five, and the form table tells a story even more worrying than the raw points tally. With Manchester City firmly back in control of their own destiny, the prospect of another second-place finish looms large. And if that happens, plenty of Gunners supporters will be demanding change in the dugout.

So what happens next? Betting markets have already begun pricing up the alternatives, and the list makes for intriguing reading.

The Outsiders

Cesc Fabregas sits at the longer odds, though curiously at the same price as Brentford's Thomas Frank—a pairing that feels rather generous to the latter. Still, there's genuine enthusiasm among some Arsenal fans for Fabregas, who has overseen Como's remarkable journey from Serie B to genuine European contention in Serie A. Another of Wenger's former midfielders could certainly appeal.

Patrick Vieira represents the ultimate full-circle appointment: a club legend stepping in to replace another club legend. The logic is there, even if we're reminded that you needn't have played in midfield under the Frenchman to succeed him in the role.

The Serious Contenders

Andoni Iraola has demonstrated he possesses the credentials for a Big Six role, though Arsenal may need to be in rather deeper trouble before they turn to him. Unai Emery's previous stint ended in failure, and the prospect of a reunion—the man who replaced the man who replaced the man—hardly sets pulses racing, even accounting for his excellent work at Aston Villa.

Zinedine Zidane continues to hover in the background, though one suspects Premier League clubs should stop holding their breath waiting for the twice-Real Madrid winner to materialise. Marco Silva is a capable operator, yet difficult to present as a meaningful upgrade. Xavi Hernández represents a fascinating gamble: potentially brilliant or potentially disastrous, with little middle ground after his Barcelona exit.

Antonio Conte presents a paradox—simultaneously the worst and best candidate imaginable. His trophy haul speaks volumes, but so does his talent for falling out with everyone around him. His well-documented antipathy towards Spurs certainly wouldn't hurt his candidacy.

The Elite Tier

Diego Simeone sits near the top of the odds, and the prospect is genuinely tantalising. Imagine the reaction if Arsenal somehow managed to lure the Atlético Madrid mastermind from Spain. The club's approach to the darker arts would evolve considerably, and the Premier League might struggle to cope with his methods.

Max Allegri rounds out the conversation, though he remains an awkward fit for English football. His natural habitat is Serie A, and his current comfortable position at AC Milan suggests he's unlikely to uproot, regardless of Sir Alex Ferguson's long-ago endorsement.

The Favourite

Simone Inzaghi tops the betting, and there's genuine appeal to the appointment. His success at Inter is undeniable, and there's something rather compelling about the image of him in an Arsenal blazer—a superficial but oddly important consideration for the club's top job. His runner-up finishes in both Serie A and the Champions League last season do suggest he might almost be too Arsenal for comfort. The small matter of his current employment at Al-Hilal presumably wouldn't survive serious interest from North London.