Top 9 Greatest Arsenal Managers in History Ranked

The greatest managers in Arsenal history have been ranked, featuring notable names such as Arsene Wenger, George Graham, and Mikel Arteta.

By: Anna Ciao

07/24/2024 06:40

Arsenal have been a consistent force at the top of the Premier League, having been relegated just once in their history, back in 1913. This speaks volumes about their stability even during challenging times. Over the years, numerous managers have played pivotal roles in maintaining this consistency.

From winning the First Division for the first time to achieving an unbeaten season, the Gunners have been guided by several world-class coaches, many of whom are considered among the greatest in football history. These managers inspired players and fans alike with their tactical brilliance and nuanced strategies, leading to significant successes.

Current boss Mikel Arteta aims to etch his name into Arsenal folklore by securing the club's first Premier League title since 2004. With that goal in mind, we've ranked the nine greatest managers in Arsenal's history, each of whom made a lasting impact on the team in North London.

Ranking Factors:

Longevity: The longer their tenure, the more highly they are regarded.
Win percentage: Quite simply, the more matches won, the better.
Trophies won: Wins are most meaningful when they translate into tangible success, which is a hallmark of the best Arsenal managers.

Greatest Arsenal Managers
Ranking	Name	Win Percentage (%)	Trophies Won
1.	Arsene Wenger	57.25	Premier League (x3), FA Cup (x7)
2.	Herbert Chapman	49.64	First Division (x2), FA Cup
3.	George Graham	48.91	First Division (x2), FA Cup, League Cup (x2)
4.	Bertie Mee	44.71	First Division, FA Cup
5.	Tom Whittaker	47.21	First Division Champion (x2), FA Cup
6.	George Allison	46.24	First Division Champion (x2), FA Cup
7.	Harry Bradshaw	50.21	Promotion to First Division (1904)
8.	Mikel Arteta	58.87	FA Cup
9.	Terry Neill	44.95	FA Cup

9. Terry Neill

1976-1983

Terry Neill was an impressive centre-back for Arsenal and even served as the team captain in the 1960s. However, his most memorable contributions to the club came during his tenure as manager. In 1976, after managing rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Neill faced the challenging task of replacing Bertie Mee and became the youngest manager in Arsenal's history at the age of 34.

The Northern Irishman rose to the occasion, leading Arsenal to three consecutive FA Cup finals, securing victory in 1979 against Manchester United. This triumph was the highlight of his managerial career at Arsenal, which also included a narrow defeat in the 1980 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final.

Managerial Information
Games	416
Wins	187
Draws	117
Losses	112
Trophies Won	FA Cup

8. Mikel Arteta

2019-Present

Mikel Arteta is currently among the top managers in the world. He took charge of Arsenal in 2019, shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic, and despite early struggles, he guided the Gunners to an FA Cup victory behind closed doors. This remains his only major trophy at the club so far, but he has revitalized a team that previously lacked identity and confidence, making them capable of competing with any opponent.

In both 2023 and 2024, Arsenal narrowly missed out on the Premier League title, falling short to Manchester City after a 3-1 loss to West Ham. Nonetheless, the Spaniard has consistently improved the team each year. Arteta has also played a pivotal role in developing young talent, including Bukayo Saka, who is now regarded as one of the best wingers in the world.

Managerial Information
Games	231
Wins	136
Draws	38
Losses	57
Trophies Won	FA Cup

7. Harry Bradshaw

1899-1904

Harry Bradshaw’s five-year tenure as Arsenal's manager at the dawn of the 20th century left an indelible mark on the club. When he first arrived, he was tasked with guiding the team to the First Division. In 1904, they achieved this by finishing second and securing promotion to the top tier. This accomplishment laid the foundation for the club's future success.

Additionally, Bradshaw played a crucial role in developing some of the club's greatest players, including Jimmy Ashcroft, Jimmy Jackson, and Archie Cross. Though it has been over 120 years, Bradshaw remains a significant figure in Arsenal's history.

Managerial Information
Games	235
Wins	118
Draws	44
Losses	73
Trophies Won	Promotion to First Division (1904)

6. George Allison

1934-1947

Arsenal manager George Allison talks to his players at Highbury pic.twitter.com/409d2g5jbd
— The League Magazine (@Theleaguemag) March 3, 2019

Taking on the role of manager at any club is a formidable challenge, but replacing Herbert Chapman, the man who secured Arsenal's first-ever title, shortly after his passing, is an unparalleled task. George Allison faced this daunting responsibility with confidence and charisma.

Out of his 279 games in charge, Allison won 129, and over his 13-year tenure, the team's average league position was fourth. During this period, Arsenal won two additional league titles and an FA Cup, all while navigating the tumultuous years of World War II.

Managerial Information
Games	279
Wins	129
Draws	74
Losses	76
Trophies Won	First Division Champion (x2), FA Cup

5. Tom Whittaker

1947-1956

Tom Whittaker continued the tradition of former Arsenal players becoming managers, although his time on the pitch was brief due to a severe knee injury that cut his playing career short. After World War II, Whittaker took over from George Allison as manager.

In just two years, he led the club to win the First Division title in 1948, followed by an FA Cup and another league championship. Whittaker’s tenure ended prematurely in 1956 due to a heart attack, leaving fans to wonder how much more he could have achieved with Arsenal.

Managerial Information
Games	430
Wins	203
Draws	106
Losses	121
Trophies Won	First Division Champion (x2), FA Cup

4. Bertie Mee

1966-1976

Under Bertie Mee's leadership, Arsenal achieved the double in 1971, becoming one of only 13 teams in English football to do so. His tenure from 1966 to 1976 was marked by significant success, despite having the lowest win percentage among those ranked here.

When Mee took over, Arsenal hadn't won a trophy since 1953. However, his first notable success came in 1970 with victory in the Inter-Cities Fair Cup, a prestigious but non-major tournament. The following year, his young squad excelled, securing both the First Division and FA Cup, with the league title clinched at White Hart Lane, adding a memorable twist to their triumph.

Managerial Information
Games	539
Wins	241
Draws	148
Losses	150
Trophies Won	First Division, FA Cup

3. George Graham

1986-1995

George Graham, a former Arsenal player from 1966-1972, transformed the team during his managerial stint and is remembered as one of their greatest bosses. He revitalized the squad by promoting young talent from the academy, including Tony Adams. Under Graham's leadership, Arsenal secured their first league title in 18 years in 1989, followed by another title two years later.

In addition to the league successes, Graham guided Arsenal to an FA Cup and two League Cups, adding trophies to the club’s cabinet that were seldom won. Despite the impressive achievements, his tenure ended controversially when he was banned by the FA for accepting a bribe from an agent. Nonetheless, his contributions to Arsenal's success remain highly regarded.

Managerial Information
Games	460
Wins	225
Draws	133
Losses	102
Trophies Won	First Division (x2), FA Cup, League Cup (x2)

2. Herbert Chapman

1925-1934

In 1931, Herbert Chapman achieved a historic milestone by leading Arsenal to their first-ever league title. This landmark moment remains a defining chapter in the club's history, even if the few who witnessed it are long gone. Over his nine-year tenure, Chapman made significant moves, including signing Sunderland's record goal scorer and England international Charlie Buchan, signaling a new era of ambition for Arsenal.

Chapman’s legacy is marked by his success on the field, averaging nearly a goal every two games before his departure. His innovative approach extended beyond tactics; he fostered a professional environment that allowed the team to flourish. Chapman was also ahead of his time in diversifying the squad, being one of the first managers in the league to consider signing black and foreign players, as demonstrated by his recruitment of Walter Tull to Northampton in 1911.

Managerial Information
Games	411
Wins	204
Draws	97
Losses	110
Trophies Won	First Division (x3), FA Cup

1. Arsene Wenger

1996-2018

Arsène Wenger revolutionized the Premier League with his innovative approach. Revered by Arsenal fans, the Frenchman steered the club through its most successful era, thanks to his tactical brilliance. Wenger recognized the need for specific drills to address players' weaknesses and introduced methods that enhanced their overall game.

His tenure was marked by significant achievements: he secured the Premier League title three times, including an unbeaten season in 2004. Additionally, he won the FA Cup seven times—the most in the competition’s history—and led Arsenal to 20 consecutive years of Champions League qualification, demonstrating exceptional consistency throughout his career.

Managerial Information
Games	1,235
Wins	707
Draws	280
Losses	248
Trophies Won	Premier League (x3), FA Cup (x7)

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Written by: Anna Ciao

Anna Ciao is a sports content contributor at Betimate. Born and raised in a rural village in China, I have had a passion for football and various sports such as basketball, volleyball, badminton, from a young age. Along with diligent studies, I achieved an IELTS score of 8.0 in the English language, and I have become a content contributor specializing in sports, particularly football, as I am today. I hope that my articles are helpful to readers.