Who can replace Mikel Arteta at Arsenal? (Photo by James Fearn, Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit believes Como coach Cesc Fabregas could be a good choice to replace Mikel Arteta.
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One imagines that Arteta’s future as Arsenal manager will be a topic for the club to ponder this summer if the Gunners finish without a trophy yet again despite being in such a strong position to win the Premier League.
A surprise 2-2 draw at Wolves last night means Manchester City can cut Arsenal’s lead to just two points, as Pep Guardiola’s side prepare to host Arteta’s men at the Etihad Stadium.
Petit says he could see Arteta one day being tested for the Barcelona job, and Fabregas is a good option to replace him in Spain.
Mikel Arteta to Barcelona, Cesc Fabregas to Arsenal?
Fabregas is another former Arsenal player who was very popular during his time at the Emirates Stadium, and he looks like a promising coach from his short managerial career so far.
It’s easy to imagine that Arsenal would be keen to bring back Fabregas if they decide to replace Arteta, and Petit reckons that other big clubs will also be keeping an eye on the 38-year-old.
| Fabregas in Como | It wins | Drawings | Loss | win % |
| 2024-present | 27 | 20 | 20 | 40.30 |
Speaking to BetBrothers, as quoted by the Evening Standard, Petit said: “Mikel Arteta will one day manage Barcelona, I think we will finally see that.
“To be honest, if he is going to leave Arsenal, I see him more likely to go abroad than to another Premier League team. So, obviously, I would say that Barca will be his next move if he were to leave Arsenal.
“To be honest, I don’t know what’s best, if he wins he’ll go, if he doesn’t win he’ll go, I don’t know, if he wins he might continue to increase his lips.”
He continued: “I think Cesc Fabregas will take his time because he has everything he needs at Como. He wants players, they bring him players. Whatever he wants, they bring it to him. And that allows him to have such power in making decisions.
“His former clubs will let the managers go and it is clear that Chelsea, Arsenal, even any top club will consider him as an option because he is doing an excellent job at Como.
Is it time for Arsenal to replace Mikel Arteta?
Arteta has done a great job of turning Arsenal into serious contenders again, but questions remain as to whether he is still the man to make that final step to win major silverware.
| Arteta Arsenal record | It wins | Drawings | Loss | win % |
| 2019-present | 200 | 63 | 69 | 60.24 |
The former Manchester City coach won the FA Cup with Arsenal in his first season, but has not brought home a trophy since, with the team finishing second in the Premier League three years in a row.
While Arteta’s performance deserves praise, it may be fair to say that another season ending season may be worthy of serious questions about what might be best for the club’s future.
It may be early days for someone as inexperienced as Fabregas, but it will be interesting to see what the Arsenal manager’s situation ends up looking like if results don’t improve soon.
