According to the Mirror, Arsenal have identified Massimiliano Allegri and Mikel Arteta as potential replacements for Unai Emery. The Spaniard has struggled to offer the club a new identity, and his job is now under tight scrutiny after a run of three winless matches in the Premier League. It is believed that Jose Mourinho is also a candidate.
In this article, we will look at these three candidates and assess the best possible replacement Arsenal could hire if they do end up sacking Emery.
Massimiliano Allegri
When it comes to rebuilding an Arsenal team, Allegri could be an exciting choice for the Gunners. The Italian mastermind was the brains behind Juventus’ rapid rise in Europe within the past three-four years. His ingenuity and leadership helped the Bianconeri retain unrivalled dominance in Italian football and also become a powerhouse in Europe.
Allegri is quite experienced as well, having spent four years at Milan, prior to his five-year spell at Juventus. However, the 52-year-old has never managed anywhere outside Italy. And it is difficult to deduce whether or not, Arsenal’s increasing problems regarding the ease of communication will persist in the wake of his potential arrival.
Much like Emery, who doesn’t speak English very well, Allegri could find it tough to address his ideas to non-English speakers. Hence, he might not be the ideal option for Arsenal at the moment.
Jose Mourinho
Mourinho is a prime replacement candidate for Emery. The Portuguese mastermind has extensive management experience not only in English football but also in Spain and Italy. He has won three Premier League titles with Chelsea while winning the Champions League twice with Inter Milan and FC Porto. Hence, he is a serial winner.
Moreover, Mourinho’s arrival could make sense tactically as his defence-oriented style of play could help resolve Arsenal’s problems at the back. And given the attacking firepower they have, scoring goals shouldn’t be much of a problem.
However, Mourinho has a poor relationship with the Arsenal fans, thanks to his rifts with previous manager and club legend Arsene Wenger. Therefore, his potential appointment could turn off almost half of the fanbase, which is never a good sign, especially with the fans already unhappy over the club’s performances in recent years.
Mikel Arteta
Arteta is arguably the best option Arsenal can hire right now, as a replacement for Emery. The Frenchman has not only played for the Gunners in his footballing career and also has extensive knowledge about the Premier League. It is due to his ongoing job of being an assistant manager to Pep Guardiola.
Working with the current Manchester City boss could help him bring this Juego de posicion identity to Arsenal, which perfectly suites the club and the nature of its players. While Arteta doesn’t have much experience when it comes to management, his previous exposure at the club coupled with his tactical knowledge could give the club a fresh start.
