A man with an efficient, no-nonsense approach to midfield dominance and a haircut that could withstand a thousand hurricanes, Mikel Arteta was one of those players who fans would describe as a "fantastic servant to the club" during his time at Everton and Arsenal, but it sounds like the Arsenal board have much bigger plans for the Spaniard's burgeoning coaching career.
Now a key part of Pep Guardiola's Manchester City coaching staff, reports suggest that Arteta has been placed on the shortlist of potential managers who could replace Wenger, should the Frenchman choose to relent his gnarled grip on the club.
According to The Telegraph, Arteta is held in high regard at the Emirates, despite choosing to join Guardiola at City instead of Arsenal and is seen by many as a worthy replacement for Wenger when the long-serving manager's contract expires in 2019.
Arteta completed his Uefa Pro License earlier this season and has been credited by Guardiola as the main catalyst for Raheem Sterling's improved form this season.
"Mikel Arteta is working many, many days after training sessions for the last action, for the control in the last moment", he told The Sun.
Wenger recently confirmed that his position as manager will be reviewed at the end of the season.
"I want to see what the board thinks of my performance," Wenger told BBC Sport.
"After that we decide where we go from there. My desire has always been to respect my contracts."
Let's be honest, he's never leaving, is he?
