Ranking the 10 Best Arsenal Managers of All Time

Arsenal has been one of the most successful clubs in the English Premier League. Their domestic and global success has been hugely dependent on some of the greatest Arsenal managers over the years. In the history of the club, they have just been relegated once, that too happened in 1913, epitomizing the standards set by these managers. Several great Arsenal managers have been instrumental in different decades to take the club to new heights.

From Arsene Wenger to Mikel Arteta, from Unai Emery to George Graham, multiple managers have played key roles in bringing glorious accolades like the Premier League title, the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup. After Wenger left the Gunners, they went through a dark patch for several years. However, in recent years, one of the best Arsenal managers, Mikel Arteta, has brought the English club back on the right track. The last 10 Arsenal managers have been influential in reshaping the club’s history this century. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the last 10 greatest Arsenal managers in the last 20 years.

How We Ranked Arsenal’s Finest Bosses

Longevity: The primary ranking factor we considered is their longevity. How long they played at the club and how well the team performed during that time.

Win Percentage: The second factor considered while compiling the list of the greatest Arsenal manager is their win percentage, although this might sound rather simple for a ranking factor.

Trophies Won: The last parameter while ranking the best managers in Arsenal history is to look at the number of trophies they won during their time at the club.

List of 10 Best Arsenal Managers

S No	Manager Name	Years	Trophies Won
10	Phil Kelso	1904 – 1908	0
9	Terry Neill	1976 – 1983	1
8	Mikel Arteta*	2019 – Present	1
7	Harry Bradshaw	1899 – 1904	0
6	George Allison	1934 – 1947	3
5	Tom Whittaker	1947 – 1956	3
4	Bertie Mee	1966 – 1976	2
3	George Graham	1986 – 1995	4
2	Herbert Chapman	1925 – 1934	3
1	Arsene Wenger	1996 – 2018	10

Top 10 Best Arsenal Manager of All Time

While it was hard to compile a list as complex as ranking the top 10 managers, considering the rich history of the Gunners in the English football circuit. From the current Mikel Arteta, who will be hoping to win his first EPL title, to one of the greatest managers of all time, Arsene Wenger, we have included some of the greatest Arsenal managers who shared a vision for the overall growth of the club. Now let’s jump into it:

10. Phil Kelso

Phil Kelso had a long history with the Gunners, which played a role in making him one of the greatest Arsenal managers. Kelso joined the North London club in 1904 before they clinched their promotion and stayed for over four years on the white sidelines.

During his short stay at the club, Kelso managed to lead Arsenal to 2 successive FA Cup semi finals. While the best position the Gunners attained under his leadership was 7th place. During the time when Arsenal was facing financial turmoil and results weren’t going his way, he resigned from his position in 1908.

Games	Wins	Draws	Losses	Trophies Won
12	5	2	5	None

9. Terry Neill

Terry Neill had an impressive tenure as an Arsenal manager. The Northern Irishman arrived at the club on 9th July 1976, becoming the youngest Arsenal manager to date. In his first season, with a few good signings and a couple of young talents, the club enjoyed one of its best seasons since 1971, when they won double, and reached the FA Cup finals in three successive years (1978, 1979, and 1980).

Out of the three finals they played in the FA Cup, they only managed to win once, that to, against Man United in 1979. But many believe his best spell at the Gunners came in 1980, although he lost the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup Final that year. Having managed the club for 416 games, he won 187 while tasting defeat in 112 games.

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

8. Mikel Arteta

The former deputy of Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta, was brought in by the directors as the new Arsenal manager in 2019. The Spanish coach got his first victory on the sidelines of the Emirates Stadium against Manchester United after clinching a comfortable 2-0 victory. His side went on a rampage in the FA Cup and beat Manchester City and Chelsea respectively to win the tournament, making Arteta the first person to win the FA Cup trophy as both coach and captain of the Gunners. 

He won his second trophy at the club after Arsenal beat Liverpool in the FA Community Shield. Arteta also led the Gunners to the Europa League semi-finals, but lost to Villarreal on aggregate score. The 2022-23 Premier League season saw a feisty fight between Arsenal and Manchester City, in which the latter came on top at the end. Arteta has amassed 170 wins from 287 games as the Arsenal manager to date. 

Games	Wins	Draws	Losses	Trophies Won
287	170	50	67	FA Cup

7. Harry Bradshaw

Another English coach, Harry Bradshaw, was appointed as the new Arsenal manager after Arthur Kennedy left. Bradshaw stayed with the Gunners for five years as their head coach. His biggest achievement for Arsenal was to win them their promotion to the First Division (English Premier League now), but he couldn’t win a notable trophy as a manager for the Gunners.

The Englishman’s ability to inspire a struggling team and then guide them to the First Division in 1904. And laid the foundation for the club’s upcoming success later on. With 235 games at the helm, he managed to win 118 games and lost 73 games, making him one of the greatest Arsenal managers.

Games	Wins	Draws	Losses	Trophies Won
235	118	44	73	Promotion to First Division

Also Read: Ranking The 10 Best Coach In The World Right Now (2025)

6. George Allison

George Allison arrived from Bolton Wanderers in 1995. He was given the task to continue the winning momentum of Arsenal and continue the task of replacing the great Herbert Chapman, under whom Arsenal won their first-ever title. But who would have thought that not only would he meet the expectation but surpass it with two league titles and one FA Cup?

Well, his statistical numbers as Arsenal manager weren’t lacking either, having led the club for 279 games, winning 129 while losing 76. What’s more, the average position attained in the League under him was fourth.

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

5. Tom Whittaker

Another guy following the trend of becoming the manager after retiring as a player, Tom Whittaker played as centre forward. His vision and ability to guide the Gunners to the First Division title, that too, within 2 years, was remarkable. Played only 64 games as a player as he suffered a serious knee injury, but had one of the best managerial careers as Arsenal manager.

Having managed 430 matches as the head coach of the Arsenal team from 1947 to 1956, he won 2 First Division titles and one FA Cup. Although his spell ended in 1956 due to a heart attack, many believed he could have improved Arsenal even more through his vision.

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

4. Bertie Mee

At number four, we have Bertie Mee, under whom Arsenal won the double (league and cup double) in 1971. We could have gone to some other managers, but we have reached a point where managers’ vision and hard work, which shaped Arsenal, are as important as statistical numbers. Lee was appointed in 1966, with the Gunners struggling to win a single trophy for over a decade.

And he didn’t take long to create an impact and led them to winning ways again. He also guided the club to its first European trophy, i.e., the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. His statistical numbers are as good as with work, with 241 wins, 150 losses in 539 games at the club, truly one of the greatest Arsenal managers.

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

Also Read: Ranking the 10 Best English Managers in the World | 2025

3. George Graham

George Graham immediately took over as the new Arsenal manager, replacing Steve Burtenshaw in 1986. The Scottish coach is one of the longest-serving managers in the history of the Gunners. He began his coaching career at the top level with Millwall. After spending four years in the EFL Championship and League One, Graham came to the English top flight with lots of promises.

Arsenal went on to win the 1987 League Cup by inflicting a 2-1 defeat on Liverpool. In 1989, with George Graham at the helm, Arsenal won their first English top-division title since 1971. The legendary goalkeeper David Seaman was one of his preferred signings. Off the back of a few good signings and a strong squad, the Gunners lifted another league title in the 1990/91 season. 

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

2. Herbert Chapman

What a club legend Herbert Chapman is, leaving an everlasting legacy on football, not just on Arsenal. His idea to paint the jersey (red body and white sleeves), while making Arsenal a powerhouse, is still remembered by many. His vision to bring in a fresh attacking style of play helped the club win two First Division titles and one FA Cup.

What’s more, he was one of the first managers to consider signing non-English players (foreign as well as black players), highlighted by Walter Tull being signed to Northampton in 1911. He is regarded as one of the greatest Arsenal managers in the club’s history for what he has done.

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

1. Arsene Wenger

Arsene Wenger is the greatest manager in Arsenal’s history. The French coach arrived at the Emirates Stadium in 1996 and stayed on the sidelines for 22 years. Two years after his arrival, he became the first foreign manager to win the FA Cup and Premier League title. In 2002, Wenger achieved the same feat yet again before lifting another Premier League title in 2004. Arsenal won the 2004 Premier League undefeated, a feat that has been achieved in football only twice. 

Under Arsene Wenger, the Gunners featured in the UEFA Champions League final in 2006, but lost to a high-flying Barcelona. His priority towards cutting costs witnessed Arsenal going trophyless for almost nine years. But he led the North London club to two consecutive FA Cup titles in 2014 and 2015. By doing so, he set the record for winning the most trophies (7) in this competition. Before leaving the Gunners in 2018, Wenger became a folkloric figure in the rich history of the club. He left an impressive mark on its history as one of the best Arsenal managers ever.

Games	Wins	Draws	Losses	Trophies Won
1235	707	280	248	EPL (x3), FA Cup (x7)

Also Read: Ranking the 10 Best Managers With Most Trophies

FAQs