Kevin Campbell says Arsenal need to find a long-term replacement for Arsene Wenger, who leaves the club after 22 years in charge in the summer.
Zeljko Buvac has emerged as one of the frontrunners along with Luis Enrique to replace Wenger, while Southampton midfielder Mario Lemina says Massimiliano Allegri would be a good fit at the Emirates.
Campbell, who spent seven years at Arsenal from 1988-1995 and scored 46 goals in 166 appearances, believes the club will need to look long term when finding a replacement in order to challenge for a fourth Premier League title.
"I'd like it to be long term because Arsenal is a club that needs that stability," said Campbell.
"But in order to put that plan in place you need a manager who is thinking long term and can recruit right, so fingers crossed it will be a long-term appointment."
Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira has been linked with replacing Wenger, but has not been approached by Arsenal to date, Sky Sports News understands.
Campbell feels that whoever comes in, Arsenal's new manager will need to hit the ground running, but warns there may be short-term pain before any upturn in fortunes on and off the pitch.
"It's vital that the new man comes in and has a plan and I think the fanbase need to know what that plan is as well because there's a load of good youngsters at the club.
"But it's getting that first team right to be able to challenge for the league. It may not happen in the first season.
"I was speaking to quite a few Arsenal fans yesterday, [they were saying] we don't mind going through a little bit of pain to get it right."
Arsenal face Burnley at the Emirates on Sunday in Wenger's final home game in charge, before trips to Leicester and Huddersfield conclude the Frenchman's Premier League tenure at the club.