Arsenal is one of the biggest clubs in the English Premier League, for almost a century, has had a stellar record with 13 top-flight titles and a remarkable 14 FA Cup victories.
For the modern fans, the name Arsene Wenger resonates profoundly. Wenger’s tenure at the club not only marked a period of domestic success but also contributed to a global revolution in the beautiful game.
Since 1897, Arsenal has been led by twenty permanent managers and eight caretakers, including Stewart Houston, who took charge on two separate occasions.
In the early days (1893-1897), a committee of directors managed the team.
The managerial role, initially called “secretary-manager,” involved overseeing both on and off-pitch matters.
After Tom Whittaker’s passing in 1956, the role evolved, and managers have since been known simply as “managers,” concentrating majorly on first-team affairs.
- Who Is The Greatest Manager In Arsenal’s History?
- 1. Arsene Wenger – (1996-2018)
- 2. George Graham – (1986-1995)
- 3. Herbert Chapman – (1925-1934)
- 4. Tom Whittaker – (1947-1956)
- 5. Bertie Mee – (1966-1976)
- 6. Mikel Arteta – (2019 – present)
- 7. George Allison (1934 – 1947)
- List Of Arsenal Managers From 1919 Till Date
Who Is The Greatest Manager In Arsenal’s History?
Being a football manager is a tough job. There’s a lot to handle when you’re in charge of a team. The main goal is to get good results. If a manager can’t do that consistently, they might lose their job.
But it’s not just about winning games.
Managers at top football clubs also have to manage money, develop young players, and communicate with different people.
When they’re on the field, they’re like coaches, but off the field, they’re more like managers! The greatest managers go beyond just winning games. They create a culture in the club that lasts even after they’re gone.
The top managers change the club from the inside and establish a unique identity. They set a plan for the club to follow, ensuring continued success.
Here are the top 7 Arsenal managers of all time.
1. Arsene Wenger – (1996-2018)
Arguably the most iconic figure in Arsenal’s managerial history, Arsène Wenger’s 22-year reign transformed the club both on and off the pitch.
The Frenchman arrived in 1996, introducing a new era of attacking, possession-based football that came to be known as “Wengerball.”
His impact on English football was immense, bringing about changes in scouting, players’ training, and diet that revitalized Arsenal and contributed to the globalization of the sport in the 21st century.
When Wenger took over as Arsenal’s manager in 1996, not everyone was excited, including the English media and the players.
However, he quickly proved his worth by becoming the first foreign manager to win a Premier League and FA Cup double in 1998. This success continued as he guided Arsenal to another league and cup double in 2002 and achieved an unprecedented feat in 2004, leading his team to an undefeated domestic league season.
Wenger’s tenure also saw Arsenal make its first appearance in a Champions League final in 2006, although they lost to Barcelona.
He played a significant role in Arsenal’s move to the Emirates Stadium and prioritized the club’s finances in the second decade of his management.
Despite nine years without winning a trophy, Wenger led Arsenal to FA Cup successes in the 2010s, setting a record for the most wins in the competition with seven before departing as manager in 2018.
Known as “Le Professeur” by fans and the English press, Wenger’s studious demeanor earned him this nickname.
He is widely celebrated as one of the most influential managers of his generation, changing perceptions of the sport in England and abroad. Wenger’s football philosophy emphasizes an attacking mentality, believing that football should be entertaining on the pitch.
While his Arsenal teams faced criticism for indiscipline and naivety, they also received awards for sporting fair play. Wenger’s ability to spot young talent and develop a youth system, a reputation earned during his time at Monaco, continued to be a hallmark of his managerial career at Arsenal.
Wenger’s influence extended beyond the pitch, with the construction of the Emirates Stadium and a commitment to nurturing young talent.
2. George Graham – (1986-1995)
George Graham, a former Arsenal player, made a significant impact when he returned to the club as a manager in 1986.
Interestingly, he didn’t even apply for the Arsenal position initially. On May 12, 1986, his chairman at Millwall informed him that Arsenal wanted to talk to him about the manager’s job.
Following an interview with key figures from Arsenal, including Peter Hill-Wood, David Dein, and Ken Friar, Graham was appointed as the new manager on May 14, 1986.
Upon his arrival at Highbury, Graham was briefly linked with the Scotland national team alongside his Arsenal managerial role, but the position ultimately went to Andy Roxburgh.
At that time, Arsenal hadn’t won a trophy since the FA Cup in 1978–79 and had fallen behind other top teams in the League.
Known for his practical and disciplined approach, Graham achieved remarkable success during his tenure.
He led the team to two First Division titles in 1989 and 1991 and secured a historic triumph in the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1994. Graham’s focus on defensive strength and efficient counter-attacking football established Arsenal as a football powerhouse.
Despite being one of the most successful managers in Arsenal’s history, Graham’s time at the helm came to an end after almost a decade.
The club’s board sacked him when he was found guilty by the Football Association of taking money from transfers. Graham, despite paying back the money, insisted that it was an “unsolicited gift.”
3. Herbert Chapman – (1925-1934)
Herbert Chapman is often seen as the trailblazer of modern football management.
Arsenal managed to attract Chapman in 1925, and his arrival brought about a revolution in the club’s approach to the game. Under his innovative tactics and forward-thinking strategies, Arsenal won their first-ever silverware, winning one FA Cup and two First Division titles.
Chapman’s impact was profound, making Arsenal the dominant team of the 1930s.
His influence continued as Arsenal won five League titles and two FA Cups in the decade leading up to the suspension of football during the Second World War. Chapman’s legacy endures as a crucial chapter in Arsenal’s history.
His contributions went beyond trophies.
Chapman is credited with improving Arsenal by introducing new tactics, including the revolutionary WM formation that forms the basis of many modern-day formations.
He also implemented advanced training techniques and advocated for the use of physiotherapists.
Unlike allowing board members to lead, Chapman took charge of leading the team. His innovations extended to the introduction of floodlights and numbered shirts, marking a lasting impact on the game.
Chapman spent New Year’s in London and then headed north for a scouting trip to watch a match between Bury and Notts County on January 1, 1934.
The next day, he went to his hometown, Yorkshire, to observe Sheffield Wednesday, who were Arsenal’s upcoming opponents.
After spending a night in Kiveton Park, his hometown, he returned to London with a cold but managed to watch an Arsenal third-team match against Guildford City.
Unfortunately, his illness suddenly worsened, leading to pneumonia, and Chapman passed away in the early hours of January 6, 1934, at his home in Hendon. He was buried four days later in St Mary’s Churchyard, Hendon.
4. Tom Whittaker – (1947-1956)
After Herbert Chapman’s passing in 1934, Tom Whittaker continued his service at Arsenal under the new manager, George Allison. He also took on the role of a trainer for the England national team during this time.
During the Second World War, Whittaker served as an ARP warden and later became a pilot in the Royal Air Force, rising to the rank of squadron leader. He was honored with an MBE for his service, particularly on D-Day missions.
After the war, Whittaker resumed his position as a trainer at Arsenal. Following George Allison’s retirement in 1947, Whittaker stepped into the role of the club’s manager.
Under his leadership, Arsenal achieved significant success, winning the League in 1947–48 and 1952–53, as well as the FA Cup in 1949–50. Whittaker also attempted to bring in Blackpool’s Stanley Matthews, but the offer was declined as Matthews was content with his current situation.
Unfortunately, while still in charge of Arsenal, Whittaker suffered a heart attack and passed away at the University College Hospital, London in 1956, at the age of 58.
5. Bertie Mee – (1966-1976)
Before becoming Arsenal’s manager, Bertie Mee was not widely known, but he played a key role in one of the club’s most memorable periods.
After Billy Wright’s sacking in 1966, Mee was unexpectedly asked to take on the managerial role, which even surprised Mee himself.
To hedge his bets, Mee requested a clause allowing him to return to his previous position as a physiotherapist if his managerial stint proved unsuccessful. To compensate for any tactical gaps, Mee brought in Dave Sexton and Don Howe as his assistants.
At that time, Arsenal hadn’t won a trophy since 1953.
Under Mee’s leadership, a group of young players from Arsenal’s youth system, including Charlie George, John Radford, Pat Rice, and Ray Kennedy, showed promise.
Although Arsenal lost in two consecutive League Cup finals in 1968 and 1969, they won their first European trophy in the following season. Arsenal triumphed over Anderlecht, winning the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup with a 4–3 aggregate score, ending a seventeen-year trophy drought.
In the 1972–73 season, Arsenal mounted a serious challenge for the championship, even topping the table at one point, but ultimately finished as runners-up.
Their FA Cup run came to an end with a semi-final defeat to eventual winners Sunderland.
After achieving the double, Mee began to dismantle the winning team, with players like Ray Kennedy, Charlie George, and captain Frank McLintock leaving.
In 1976, Mee, Arsenal’s most successful manager in terms of victories (241 wins), resigned.
His record remained unbroken until Arsène Wenger surpassed it in 2006. Terry Neill succeeded Mee as Arsenal’s manager.
6. Mikel Arteta – (2019 – present)
On December 20, 2019, Mikel Arteta became the head coach of Arsenal, signing a deal until 2023.
He expressed his belief that the club had lost direction and emphasized the importance of responsibility, passion, and energy among the players, signaling a new era.
Despite the result, he praised the attitude of his players. On January 1, 2020, Arteta secured his first win as Arsenal coach, defeating Manchester United 2–0 at the Emirates.
In July 2020, Arsenal, under Arteta, beat Manchester City 2–0 in the FA Cup semi-final, leading them to their fourth FA Cup final in seven years.
They went on to win the final 2–1 over Chelsea, making Arteta the first person to win the FA Cup as both captain and coach of Arsenal. He also became the first head coach to win a major trophy in his first season since George Graham in 1986–87.
In August of that same year, Arteta won his second trophy as manager when Arsenal beat Liverpool 5–4 on penalties in the FA Community Shield. His role was officially changed to manager on September 10, 2020.
Arteta continued his successful managerial run by earning the Premier League Manager of the Month award for the third time in the 2022-23 season, bringing his total to five since December 2019.
This made him the first manager to achieve back-to-back monthly wins since Pep Guardiola did so in November and December 2021.
Arteta also crafted his name significantly in Arsenal’s history by becoming the first manager to claim the award three times in a single season, a feat last achieved by Liverpool’s Jürgen Klopp in the 2019–20 season with five wins.
On March 12, Arsenal celebrated a 3–0 triumph over Fulham at Craven Cottage, marking Arteta’s 100th win in his 168th game at the helm of Arsenal.
This milestone showed Arteta’s impressive win percentage, establishing him as the most successful manager in Arsenal’s recent history.
Although Arsenal’s hopes for the title faded after consecutive losses and unnecessary draws, they secured a commendable second-place finish.
This outcome handed the Premier League trophy to Manchester City for the third consecutive season, sealing the continental treble.
Arteta’s guidance ensured Champions League qualification for Arsenal, making him the first manager since Arsène Wenger six years earlier to secure this achievement for the club.
7. George Allison (1934 – 1947)
Arsenal’s second longest-serving manager had a significant impact during his time at the club.
At a young age, George Allison was a passionate footballer, although he didn’t make it as a professional player, having only a trial with Shildon.
After moving to London in 1906, he quickly became associated with Woolwich Arsenal, working as the club’s program editor. His connection with the team continued when they moved to Highbury and became known as “Arsenal.”
Allison became part of the club’s board of directors after the First World War, initially serving as club secretary and later as managing director.
Taking over as Herbert Chapman’s successor after Chapman’s passing in 1934, Allison inherited a team that had already won the League Championship twice in a row under Chapman and caretaker manager Joe Shaw in 1932-33 and 1933-34.
Maintaining the winning streak, Allison led Arsenal to a hat-trick of titles in 1934-35. He continued the success by guiding the team to FA Cup glory in 1935-36 and securing another League title in 1937-38.
Unlike Chapman, Allison had a different managerial style, preferring a hands-off approach.
He entrusted training and squad discipline to Joe Shaw and Tom Whittaker while focusing on transfer policies and managing the club’s relationship with the media. Although some criticized his limited knowledge of the game, Allison’s impressive trophy cabinet spoke for itself.
During the Second World War, official football competitions in England were put on hold.
However, Allison remained committed to managing Arsenal in the Wartime League, even without receiving payment for his services.
After the war, many key players who had contributed to Arsenal’s success had retired, leading to a decline in the team’s performance. The 1946–47 season saw Arsenal finish a disappointing 13th in the league.
At this point, Allison, in his mid-sixties and growing tired of managerial responsibilities, decided to step down and retire from the game. He passed away in 1957 after several years of illness.
List Of Arsenal Managers From 1919 Till Date
- Leslie Knighton – May 1919 to May 1925
- Herbert Chapman – June 1925 to January 1934
- Joe Shaw (caretaker) – January 1934 to May 1934
- George Allison – May 1934 to May 1947
- Tom Whittaker – June 1947 to October 1956
- Jack Crayston – October 1956 to May 1958
- George Swindin – June 1958 to May 1962
- Billy Wright – May 1962 to June 1966
- Bertie Mee – June 1966 to May 1976
- Terry Neil – June 1976 to December 1983
- Don Howe – December 1983 to March 1986
- Steve Burtenshaw (caretaker) – March 1986 to May 1986
- George Graham – May 1986 to February 1995
- Stewart Houston (caretaker) – February 1995 to June 1995
- Bruce Rioch – June 1995 to August 1996
- Stewart Houston (caretaker) – August 1996 to September 1996
- Pat Rice (caretaker) – September 1996 to September 1996
- Arsene Wenger – October 1996 to May 2018
- Unai Emery – May 2018 to November 2019
- Freddie Ljungberg (caretaker) – November 2019 to December 2019
- Mikel Arteta – December 2019 to present
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