Arsenal legend Alan Smith has urged the club to appoint Manchester City assistant Mikel Arteta as their new manager.
The Gunners are still searching for a new boss following the sacking of Unai Emery last week.
Former midfielder Freddie Ljungberg has been placed in charge as interim head coach, but has failed to put an end to Arsenal’s winless run, which was extended to nine games with the 2-1 defeat to Brighton on Thursday.
Arteta, who ended his playing career with the Gunners before taking up his assistant manager’s role alongside Pep Guardiola, is among the favourites to take over at the Emirates Stadium.
The former midfielder was among the candidates to take over from Arsene Wenger back in 2018, and is understood to have been very close to being appointed before Emery was handed the reins.
And, writing in his column for the London Evening Standard , Smith has implored his former club to gamble on the Spaniard this time around.
"All sorts of names have been thrown into the mix,” Smith said. "Max Allegri, Patrick Vieira, Brendan Rodgers, Carlo Ancelotti, Rafa Benitez and even Mauricio Pochettino. Of those, Rodgers and Pochettino stand out for me.
“But if the Arsenal hierarchy really want to be bold, if they want to make a statement with a daring appointment, I’d advocate Mikel Arteta, Pep Guardiola’s richly talented assistant at Manchester City.
"Those in the know who see the Spaniard at work talk of a man full of ideas, a man with the natural authority to get players listening and learning.
"Just ask Raheem Sterling and Kevin de Bruyne about Arteta’s ability.
“Those on the inside also speak of a ruthless character who wouldn’t think twice about making tough decisions. Arsenal and Everton supporters may remember Arteta’s qualities as a midfielder.
"When the need arose, he wasn’t averse to going over the top.
"I think my old team needs a bit of that now. And yes, I know there’s a world of difference between coaching and managing. It’s much easier to work in the shadows when the buck stops elsewhere.
"But from what I’ve heard, Arteta has everything in his armoury to become a top manager. If it doesn’t happen at the Emirates, it’ll happen somewhere else and that would sting badly if Arsenal make another mistake. “
