Witnessing Arsenal's dominant performance at Tottenham on Saturday, one might have momentarily forgotten that the team is currently without a permanent manager. This is a testament to the interim charge led by Renée Slegers, who has overseen an impressive run of five wins from six games without a single defeat. Naturally, speculation about her future is intensifying. Whether it's the jubilant Arsenal fans on the London Overground proclaiming it's 'her job to lose,' commentators echoing similar sentiments on the Guardian's match report, or people expressing their views on social media, there is a growing consensus among fans, pundits, and neutral observers calling for the Dutchwoman to be given the permanent role.

However, Arsenal would be prudent not to rush into appointing the 35-year-old, despite her remarkably impressive conduct. Slegers has been virtually flawless since taking over, but the club should avoid overreacting to such a strong month. Offering her a three-year contract, for instance, could be a mistake in the long run, especially since Arsenal should aim for nothing less than the best person for the job globally. The club's ambition should be to win the Champions League within the next two to three years, not just secure the November manager of the month award.

There is a compelling argument that the Arsenal job is currently the most significant in women's club football, given their global appeal with the largest average attendances and their historical success in England despite recent underachievements. Slegers has brought numerous qualities that deserve immense credit, from her composed and professional media handling to tactical adjustments like deploying Steph Catley as a left-sided centre-half instead of a left-back. She has also shown confidence in her players and has not shied away from bold selection decisions, such as omitting Beth Mead from the lineup at Spurs or substituting the captain Kim Little at halftime to ensure Kyra Cooney-Cross could play a significant role off the bench.

Above all, she has instilled a winning mentality in a team that is now playing to its strengths, keeping things straightforward, and bringing back smiles to the faces of players who seemed unhappy a month ago. The players have spoken highly of her, and she has clearly earned their trust, which is crucial for any coach.

However, being an interim head coach is different from holding the permanent role. If Arsenal exhausts all immediate possibilities and concludes that Slegers is the best candidate, it still feels premature to offer a long-term deal. A period until the end of the season might be adequate to assess how Slegers handles setbacks and challenges.

Slegers has frequently been questioned about the vacancy and has consistently reiterated that her focus is on the upcoming games before the international break. When asked on Saturday if anything had changed regarding her future, she responded: 'No. The block [of games] has gone really well so far. And now we have one game ahead of us, and we're going to do everything to get a good performance and good result again.'

All indications suggest that Arsenal's search to replace Jonas Eidevall will be extensive, patient, and global. Multiple sources have been tight-lipped about potential candidates, although the Guardian understands that former Manchester City Women manager Nick Cushing was quickly identified as a candidate of interest. However, Cushing has politely distanced himself, stating his contentment and stability at New York City, with no indication of interest in the Arsenal job.

This position will undoubtedly attract a pool of elite, world-class, experienced managers. Arsenal should take their time. After witnessing Chelsea's five consecutive title wins, this is a decision they cannot afford to get wrong.

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