Arsenal, whether this summer or in the near future, are going to have to do something they have not done in over two decades: appoint a new manager.

This is something that many clubs are accustomed to, yet Arsenal have little idea of how to go about such a process, thanks to the longevity of Arsene Wenger, who has guided the club through financial strain with unrivalled consistency.

Managers do not last as long as Wenger in the modern game. Rightly or wrongly, clubs are willing to hire and fire quickly, with short-term gain far more valuable than long-term planning. Arsenal may not want to change their philosophy in that sense, but they must be wary of a changing sport.

The only other time English football has seen the end of a dynasty like this was when Sir Alex Ferguson retired. Manchester United messed up the post-Fergie step at Old Trafford, which leaves Arsenal with plenty to learn from their mistakes...

Look Abroad

One would hope that Arsenal will avoid the British trap.

As good as some British managers are, the pressure would be even greater and, quite simply, there are no contenders for the job of the necessary calibre. Wenger’s replacement must come from abroad, whether that is what the media demand or not.

David Moyes’ nationality helped with his appointment at Manchester United, but this should be irrelevant. If anything, British coaches should be written off as potential successors to Wenger. They may have the ‘passion’ that we are continually told foreigners lack, but that does not make them elite level managers.

Take a Risk

In Moyes and Louis van Gaal, there was a feeling of playing it safe from Manchester United.

Moyes was a safe pair of hands, having held Everton’s ship steady and avoided anything over-ambitions that could have landed him in choppy waters, while Van Gaal was one of the world’s best, but his time as an innovator had passed.

Whether a younger manager or a boss who is yet to have ‘proven’ himself at one of Europe’s elite, Arsenal must be bold in their choice to succeed Arsene Wenger.

The past belongs in the history books

Ferguson had a significant say in the appointment of Moyes. It did not work out well.

As much as Wenger’s opinion will be respected by the decision-makers at Arsenal, when appointing his successor the Gunners must be more open-minded than to simply listen completely to the Frenchman.

For all his expertise in the field of management, Wenger’s tenure is coming to an end with good reason. They do not want Wenger to pick a clone of himself as his replacement and, while he may take another job at Arsenal, the club must define their own direction.

Ask Around

Arsenal Football Club do not know what it is like to change managers. The owners and the board have not had to go through such turmoil for a while now, having devoutly stood by Wenger for year after year and stuck to their principles.

They will, sooner or later, be forced into making a decision, though, so they should take advice on board from around the footballing world. Whether it be former players like Dennis Bergkamp and Patrick Vieira or through bringing in other people to the discussion, the knowledge of football at Arsenal’s top tables is limited and needs additions to make the transition successful.

Forget the long-term obsession

As much as Arsenal would love their next manager to build a dynasty at the club like Wenger, that is simply not the reality of the modern game. Managers do not remain at clubs for decades any longer, they are either disposed of or move on to greener pastures.

While Arsenal may want to protect their patient treatment of their managers, the successor to Wenger is unlikely to spend their entire career in north London. Appointing a manager because they feel he could have a long career at the club is a risky path to go down, after all. The same can be said for once the manager is hired, too, and if things begin to turn south, Arsenal must be unafraid of pulling the trigger.