Alan Smith believes Mikel Arteta is the right man to take over at Arsenal 

Former Arsenal forward Alan Smith feels Mikel Arteta should take charge of the managerial hotseat at the Emirates following Unai Emery's axing due to a horrendous run of winless results. According to Smith, the Gunners should opt for a younger, progressive option in the form of the Manchester City assistant manager.

The 37-year-old spent five seasons with Arsenal, registering 149 appearances for the North London giants. In the same period, Arteta also donned the captain's armband, besides netting 16 goals for the club.

However, since July 2016, the Spaniard has played the role of an assistant to Pep Guardiola at the Eithad. He's heralded as a clever tactician, someone who has been highly influential in improving the personnel and performance levels at the club.

Although he's never been in charge of a team as the head coach, Arteta has been shortlisted as a possible candidate for the Arsenal job, which is presently vacant after Emery was sacked on Friday.

On similar lines, Smith reckons the Gunners should act accordingly and land the former midfielder on the hot seat. He remarked:

"I would like them to be bold and go for a younger, more progressive manager. I'd like Mikel Arteta."

I know a lot of Arsenal fans say, 'He's never been a manager. How could you do that? We need tried and trusted experience."

He continued:

"But I think he's going to be a top manager quite shortly. If Arsenal don't get him I think somebody else will. If he stays at Manchester City when Pep Guardiola steps down, he'll be a stick on to takeover. He's got that Arsenal connection as well. He'd be my choice."

Freddie Ljungberg, presently heading the club, prepares for his next assignment as Arsenal welcome Brighton and Hove Albion on Thursday night. While there's no certainty over Arteta's appointment, we could expect the start of a new era at the Emirates soon.