The North Londoners are without a permanent head coach since the dismissal of Unai Emery in November, although Freddie Ljungberg is at the helm on interim basis.
Arteta has been Pep Guardiola’s understudy at Manchester City since 2016, and the former Everton midfielder has emerged as the front-runner to occupy the vacant seat at the Emirates Stadium.
Keown believes the Spaniard has the requisite nous to succeed at Arsenal, and working with Guardiola now has Arteta in the “mould of Arsene Wenger.”
“Mikel Arteta has worked with Pep Guardiola since 2016 and I regard the Manchester City boss as one of the finest to ever manage,” the former England midfielder told Daily Mail.
“That philosophy he came from, his Barcelona education, the way they pass the ball.”
“It is in the mould of Arsene Wenger, that brand of football, and perhaps that is why Arsenal believe Arteta might be the right man for the job.”
“There have been plenty of names linked, from Patrick Vieira to Carlo Ancelotti to Massimiliano Allegri.”
“But to see two Arsenal chiefs emerging from Arteta's house early Monday morning suggested they had their front-runner.”
“Reports emerged on Monday night that the Spaniard will now meet with Josh Kroenke, too, so they are making progress and being diligent.”
He added: “If confirmed as their new head coach, Arteta will want to get to work immediately.
“He will want to bring in his backroom staff — something Freddie Ljungberg was unable to do while interim — and get on the training field with those players.”
“Let's not forget the January transfer window is fast approaching, too. There is big work to be done at that club over the coming weeks.”
