Paul Merson says Pep Guardiola would be the 'perfect fit' for Arsenal

Paul Merson thinks Pep Guardiola would be the "perfect fit" for Arsenal, if Arsene Wenger decides to leave the club in the summer. The 44-year-old Spaniard recently announced he is to walk away from Bayern Munich at the end of the current campaign and Merson believes he would be ideally suited to the role at the Emirates.

Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea have all been linked with moves for the Champions League-winning coach. But Merson thinks Guardiola's style would work best in north London.

"I think Arsenal is a good fit for him, if I'm being honest. I thought Arsene Wenger might have looked at it and thought, 'Right, I've got a good chance of winning the Premier League this year'," Merson told Sky Sports.

"He could go out in a blaze of glory and win that. He's done great for the club, and he could say to the board, 'I've been around for a long time ... this man fits the bill.' Guardiola would come in and nothing has to change, and nothing would change. I think Arsenal don't have to panic about different ways of playing, and I think he's the perfect fit for Arsenal.

"But that would be up to Wenger. If Wenger knew now he could win the league, I think he would go to the board and say, 'Get this man at all costs'."

The former Arsenal player also admitted to being surprised by the Gunners's impending signing of Basel midfielder Mohamed Elneny. Merson doesn't expect the Egyptian to make an immediate impact in English football.

"I thought they would go for a real key signing. Someone for £30m-odd. I don't think he'll go straight in the team, instead he'll be a squad player for the games coming up. It depends how quickly he settles, though," the ex-Arsenal star explained.