Appointing Mikel Arteta could prove an Arsenal masterstroke

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Arsenal hero Paul Merson believes the club is in their current predicament as ‘the people upstairs simply aren’t fussed’. The ex-midfielder made the comments to Sky Sports as he discussed Mikel Arteta potentially taking over as the new manager.

Merson would obviously like someone experienced to take the managerial vacancy. Carlo Ancelotti looks set to join Everton and that might represent a blow to some Arsenal supporters.

Appointing Arteta might just prove a masterstroke by the club’s hierarchy, however.

The Spaniard has worked alongside Pep Guardiola since 2016 and his apprenticeship couldn’t have been served better.

Of course, managing and coaching are different but Arteta gets the football club and he knows what the supporters will expect.

Given the state of things at the moment it could be the perfect time for the ex-midfielder to cut his teeth at the Gunners.

Similar to when Frank Lampard went in at Chelsea during the summer, there really isn’t a great deal of pressure. The Blues had a transfer ban when Lampard arrived and blooding the youngsters was always going to be his remit.

There is a sense at Arsenal that things can’t get much worse and that makes Arteta’s appointment relatively low risk.

The Manchester City assistant manager spent five seasons at the club as a player. He understands the expectation level, the supporters and the principals of the football club.

The squad at the Gunners is poor and somewhat unbalanced. Interim boss Freddie Ljungberg has chopped and changed his defence and that is an area of concern.

Signing David Luiz hasn’t had the desired effect and Arteta might look to sign an enforcer in January.

Talent

Arsenal have some fantastic youngsters and Arteta will relish the chance to get to work with them.

The likes of Bukayo Saka, Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe are all set for bright futures.

Merson’s comments suggest that he wanted someone more experienced but as he says, this mess can’t be fixed overnight.

As a result, there seems little risk in letting Arteta have a go.

Arsenal pursued the tried and tested option with Unai Emery and it didn’t work.

The time is now for Arteta and it could be a very good appointment indeed for the Gunners.