Mikel Arteta favourite to become Arsenal manager

But the last decade of his reign was not as successful as the first, leading the 68-year-old to call time on his lengthy Arsenal tenure following their poor 2017/18 Premier League season.

"I must say the squad doesn't need much, because there's a huge potential in there", he said ahead of Wednesday's meeting with Leicester City in the Premier League, per Adam Crafton of the Daily Mail.

And with the French manager finally bringing his 22-year spell in north London to an end, Cech feels the ethos Wenger has transmitted to the club, both on and off the field, must be preserved. "As I said in my speech on the pitch after the Burnley game, I'm a fan above all".

Arteta retired from professional football at the end of the 2015/2016 season and immediately joined Pep Guardiola's backroom staff at Manchester City.

Wenger was given a guard of honour before kick-off at the John Smith's Stadium and the feelgood atmosphere peaked in the 22nd minute - marking his number of years in charge - when he was afforded a lengthy period of applause from the entire stadium.

Once the action was under way, a plane flew over the ground carrying the banner "Merci Arsene - we'll miss you".

A dedication to the philosophy Arsene Wenger instilled in Arsenal is the most important trait his successor must possess, according to goalkeeper Petr Cech. I think I did that to get to the level that the Premier League required of me, ' he told STV News back in 2012.

Yet the fine form of Aubameyang since his January arrival encouraged Wenger to claim he has left Arsenal in good hands.

"If they don't sack me, I'll stay at Juventus next year too".

"I will stay in football for sure".

"Yes I had offers, yes, of course".

The Gunners haven't reached the Champions League quarter-finals since 2010 to highlight their regression under Wenger.