Arsenal legend, Ian Wright has stated that the club’s manager, Mikel Arteta, is just one victory away from surpassing the iconic former manager, Arsene Wenger, as the greatest manager in Arsenal’s history.
On Sunday, Arsenal finally secured the Premier League trophy, celebrating their first league title since 2004.
The Gunners will continue their title celebrations with a trophy parade on Monday, before shifting their focus to next weekend’s Champions League final against PSG.
Although Arsenal will be considered underdogs against the defending European champions PSG, Wright mentioned that an upset in Budapest would solidify Arteta’s position as the greatest manager in the club’s history.
Wenger achieved three Premier League titles and seven FA Cup trophies during his 22-year tenure and guided Arsenal through an unbeaten season in 2003-04.
The only flaw in Wenger’s Arsenal legacy is the absence of European success, as his team lost to Barcelona in their sole Champions League final in 2006.
Wright said, as quoted by Metro, “When you consider what Arsene Wenger accomplished, positioning himself as a guarantee against the stadium.
“He was compelled to remain at the club, and what he achieved during those years, qualifying us for the Champions League, was remarkable. However, he didn’t quite manage to get us over the line regarding the Champions League.
“If Mikel Arteta can accomplish that, he surpasses everyone. He will have achieved something that no one in our history has managed before.
“What he has done, stepping into a club of Arsenal’s stature as a No. 2, transforming everything. He brought players in, moved players out. He gained the support of the owners and the fans.
“Now he’s one step away from winning the Champions League, which we have never achieved before. It’s incredible, and he will be remembered as the best.”
Earlier in the week, Arsenal were crowned Premier League champions after title rivals Manchester City drew at Bournemouth.
That outcome spared Arsenal from a tense final-day title decider, although they did defeat Crystal Palace to finish with 85 points, seven ahead of Man City.