Say what you will about the current Arsenal squad, but there is no denying that it is overflowing with genuinely good people who someday could have greater responsibilities than just playing football.
There have been many players in the team who have been touted to go into coaching once their careers end, so let’s take a look at five current players who could be successful managers someday.
Ex-Gunners Thierry Henry, Freddie Ljungberg and Patrick Vieira have already made small steps into the world of coaching and management, so here are some players who could follow suit.
Per Mertesacker
The BFG has been the stand-in captain for Arsenal on a number of occasions now, and for good reason. He is a commanding force in the heart of defence and can direct is teammates effectively.
His leadership skills could easily translate to a possible manager’s job, an occupation where his lack of pace will be exposed much less frequently.
Mikel Arteta
The uncapped Spaniard has been praised for his calmness under pressure and his leadership ability.
He is the club’s captain, although his contract expires at the end of the season, so do not be surprised if he joins Arsene Wenger’s staff immediately after.
The central midfielder has been a vital presence in the dressing room since joining the club and is supposedly a phenomenal teammate, so he will likely have success as a coach after his playing days are done.
Theo Walcott
A more unexpected choice, Theo Walcott is a fan-favorite and never speaks out in the media against his teammates or opponents. He is always calm, yet passionate and leads by example.
He did not let the hype get to him when he was a teenager at the World Cup, and that composure can take you a long way not only as a manager, but as a person.
Mesut Özil
The epitome of a team-first player, Özil has seen it all as a player. He won a World Cup, has played in the UEFA Champions League for a long time, and has played in both the Premier League and La Liga.
Still in his prime, his experience and unselfishness can take him a long way as a coach and will be happy to assist his players, obviously.
Petr Cech
Multilingual and one of the best goalkeepers of his generation, Cech would be a great manager. He speaks multiple languages on the pitch, including Spanish, English, French, and Czech, which would help him communicate with players.
He has more than a decade’s worth of experience in the Premier League and holds the clean sheet record for the league, which gives him the pedigree as a player that would have his players respect him as a manager.