Lauren, the right-back of the Arsenal Invincibles, has tipped Mikel Arteta to be an important figure for the Gunners on his return as head coach and has called upon the former midfielder to build on Arsene Wenger's legacy.
The 42-year-old is not writing off the chance that his former club could still pull off an unlikely late surge into the top four under the Spaniard too.
For the last three years, Arteta has worked under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and helped the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss to lift two Premier League titles as his assistant.
It is hoped his experience working with the Catalan, and his five-year stint playing for Wenger, will prepare him to be the ideal appointment to take the Gunners back to the top and in a style befitting of their status.
Speaking exclusively to 888sport , Lauren called on Arteta to raise the standard of football played by Arsenal after a decline in quality under Unai Emery as he sets about revitalising the club.
"I think Arteta has been an important figure for Arsenal," he said. "The captain. He played a lot of good football for us and I wish him all the best if the appointment happens.
"I hope he can get Arsenal back to winning ways and to the position that we all want to club to be in. There are many points still to play for until the end of the season.
"It's not easy because the position right now is not the best but with the many, many points left there is a possibility of top four for sure. I believe they can make it. Why not?
"Every manager who was a player under Arsene Wenger will try to play out through the back. Freddie [Ljungberg] is doing this and it's not a problem because we're not conceding goals through playing out from the back.
"This is not an issue. We're conceding goals – like we saw against Manchester City – through other issues. This is the Arsenal way: trying to play from the back and build up to the opponent's half and try to score goals."
Lauren has also defended supporters for speaking out against Emery and criticising the team in recent months.
"The fans always have the right to criticise because they pay every single year," he said. "But at the moment we need to be united.
"It is easy when the team is winning everything and winning cups to be a fan. But in the complicated moments people have to come together: the team, the fans, the board.
"We have to all come together to get back to the position where we all like to see Arsenal."
The full interview with Lauren can be found on 888sport , with the retired full-back adamant that the Gunners have a bright future due to the amount of potential in the squad at the moment.
Arteta is expected to be announced as Arsenal's next head coach on Friday December 20 ahead of their Premier League clash with Everton.
