Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta's replacement identified after candid exit admission

Arsenal have been told that there is a ready-made replacement for Mikel Arteta when they opt for a change of face in the Emirates Stadium dugout. The Spaniard has breathed a fresh lease of life into the Gunners since his appointment, but he will need to guide the club to silverware this season to silence some lingering doubts.

Arteta has built a squad packed full of quality and confidence, but his side have fallen short in key moments over the past years. Thus, a Premier League or Champions League title would solidify that the club remains on the correct path after several seasons of upward trajectory.

If Arsenal were to feel that Arteta has taken them as far as he could though, former Gunners star Jeremie Aliadiere believes that Como manager Cesc Fabregas is capable of stepping up and replacing the Spaniard. He told UK Riches: "Cesc Fabregas going into management didn't surprise me at all, he's got everything.

"Even in the way he played he showed that understanding of the game, he had that vision and could see things that other players couldn't see. He was so quick to read the game and just so calm.

"It's no surprise that he has done well at Como and has interest from top clubs around Europe over the summer. It would be great to see him as Arsenal manager one day, Patrick Viera was linked with the club but it didn't happen, he would've been great as well.

"You love to see former players going back to manage the club, but sometimes things go in a different direction, you just have to wait for the right time and the right opportunity."

Arteta has been linked with several moves away from north London previously, with Barcelona showing strong interest in acquiring his services before hiring Hansi Flick. However, the 43-year-old snubbed approaches and insisted that he remained committed to the Arsenal project.

He said: "I was never going to leave Arsenal for any other club or country now. This is my emotional attachment that I have. My family have and my kids have. The experience that I have. The moment with the people. It's too strong.

"I couldn't think of a better place to be as a player with the people that I met and the experiences that I had at this amazing football club. Now as a manager, it's been something far beyond and better than I ever dreamed about probably."