Arsene Wenger: Mikel Arteta has quality to become Arsenal manager

The Frenchman - who signed Spanish midfielder Arteta from Everton in 2011 - believes the Manchester City assistant manager is a "leader" who has the right "passion" to coach Arsenal as they embark upon a new era.

Wenger ended his 22-year spell as Arsenal manager with a 1-0 win at Huddersfield in the Premier League last Sunday, but feels the club has enough experience on the coaching staff to help 36-year-old Arteta flourish in what would be his first job as a manager.

"He has all the qualities to do the job, yes and I think as well he is one of the favourites," said Wenger speaking to Bein Sports.

"I left a lot of experience behind me, people who were with me like Steve Bould who has six years experience, and Jens Lehmann too.

"He has been an assistant of (City manager Pep) Guardiola as well, so overall I think he has the qualities."

But Wenger also made it clear he was not wanting to endorse any prospective candidate.

"I don’t want to influence that publicly because for me I believe it is important that they make their choice in an objective way and after once they make a decision I will support them," he said.