Who is the best Arsenal manager? That debate often comes down to two names: Arsène Wenger and Mikel Arteta.
Since taking over in 2019, Arteta has managed 150 matches and won 87 of them. That makes him the Arsenal manager with the most wins after 150 games, five more than Wenger had at the same stage.
In terms of trophies and overall impact, Wenger remains Arsenal’s most successful manager. He changed the club both on and off the pitch.
Arsenal has had 18 permanent managers and four caretakers since its inception in 1886. Stewart Houston stepped in twice as caretaker. The longest-serving manager, both in years and matches, was Wenger, who led the club from 1996 to 2018.
Ranking the 10 Best Managers in Arsenal FC History
Don Howe
Howe managed Arsenal from 1983 to 1986. He led them to sixth in his first season and seventh in the next two. His side reached the EFL Cup quarterfinals in 1985–86 but never won a trophy. In 117 matches, he recorded a 46.2% win rate.
Unai Emery
Emery was in charge from May 2018 to November 2019. Arsenal finished fifth in his first season and reached the Europa League final, losing 4–1 to Chelsea. He won 55.1% of 78 matches before being sacked.
Terry Neill
Neill managed Arsenal from 1976 to 1983. He won the 1979 FA Cup with a 3–2 victory over Manchester United. Arsenal’s best league finish under him was third in the 1980–81 season. He managed 416 matches with a 44.95% win rate.
Mikel Arteta
Arteta has been in charge since 2019. He led Arsenal to the FA Cup in 2020 with a 2–1 win over Chelsea and the Community Shield against Liverpool. His side currently has a 58% win rate in 150 matches.
Bertie Mee
Mee managed Arsenal from 1966 to 1976. His highlight was the 1970–71 season when Arsenal won the league and FA Cup double. A year earlier, they lifted the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. He managed 539 matches, winning 44.7% of them.
George Allison
Allison took over in 1934 and won the First Division in his first season. He followed with an FA Cup the next year and another league title in 1937–38. Across 279 matches, he won 129, drew 74, and lost 76, a 46.2% win rate.
Tom Whittaker
Whittaker led Arsenal from 1947 to 1956, winning two league titles, one FA Cup, and two Charity Shields. In 430 matches, he won 203, drew 106, and lost 121, a 47.2% win rate.
George Graham
Graham managed Arsenal from 1986 to 1995. He won eight trophies, including two league titles, an FA Cup, two League Cups, and a European Cup Winners’ Cup. He managed 460 matches, winning 48.9%.
Herbert Chapman
Chapman managed Arsenal from 1925 until he died in 1934. He led Arsenal to their first league title in 1930–31 and added another, along with an FA Cup and three Charity Shields. Across 411 matches, he had a 49.6% win rate.
Arsène Wenger
Wenger managed Arsenal from 1996 to 2018. He won three Premier League titles, seven FA Cups, and seven Community Shields. His 2003–04 “Invincibles” season saw Arsenal go unbeaten in the league.
Wenger oversaw 1,235 games, winning 707, drawing 280, and losing 248, a 57.3% win rate. His legacy reshaped Arsenal and left a lasting mark on English football.
Article updated 4 days ago ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
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