Former Valencia midfielder Gaizka Mendieta has identified Como manager Cesc Fabregas as a potential replacement for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta in the near future.

Recall that Arteta became Arsenal manager back in 2019 and has helped the Premier League North London club win the FA Cup and two Community Shields in his six-year spell.

Arteta’s side have also finished as Premier League runners-up for the last three seasons in a row, behind Manchester City and Liverpool.

However, Mendieta feels Arteta will in the future be offered a coaching job at Barcelona, while Fabregas will take his place at Emirates Stadium.

“Whenever Mikel Arteta’s time at Arsenal is up and he is looking for new experiences, big clubs will be knocking on his door,” Mendieta told OLBG.

“Barca included, as well as other big clubs and even national teams, he will have a lot of offers on the table.

“I’m sure there have been some conversations [about Fabregas],” Mendieta added. “But he is happy at Como. I know he is happy because the project is key, he is the one deciding who comes and goes, and he is bringing the culture and the environment.

“I’m sure Premier League clubs have approached him, former clubs will have approached him, and we will see him in the Premier League sometime in the future.

“Would he suit Arsenal or Chelsea? It could actually be both. I think he is intelligent enough because he started to play in a way at Como, and then he changed quickly.

“They also change the system within games. I think he is obviously very intelligent; he was a very intelligent player and is a very intelligent coach.

“If he goes to Arsenal, he can pick the players that he wants.

“Judging right now, Arsenal looks more like the style of football that he would be.”