According to Daily Mail, Arsenal have already identified three potential candidates to replace under-fire Unai Emery. The pressure is mounting on the Spaniard after his side’s 2-2 draw with Southampton in the last game. And with the January transfer window just around the corner, it won’t be a surprise to see him facing the sack within the coming days.
The Arsenal board, meanwhile, have identified Mikel Arteta, Massimiliano Allegri and even Mauricio Pochettino as potential replacements for Emery. But, who, among these managerial figures, would be the club’s best bet?
The risk involving Allegri
Allegri is by far the most successful coach on this list. The Italian mastermind has won almost everything at Juventus except the UEFA Champions League. His managerial skill and leadership were also important behind the club’s sheer dominance over Italian football as well as their rise to prominence in Europe.
Allegri is a stubborn coach, who is known for his rigid defensive philosophy while also preferring an attacking brand of football. His versatility, when it comes to shuffling his midfield options make him one of the most sought-after managers in Europe.
On the flip side, however, Allegri’s lack of skill when conversing in English could make him a risky option. Emery, for example, has struggled to get his idea across to the players due to his lack of proficiency in the language and the same could apply to Allegri as well. Therefore, it might not necessarily be a good idea from the Arsenal board to hire Emery.
Mauricio Pochettino
Daily Mail has already confirmed that Pochettino, despite being identified as a candidate, is unlikely to manage Arsenal due to his past association with the club’s arch-rivals – Tottenham Hotspur.
He is, however, by far the best option available for Arsenal from a general perspective. The Argentine has a wealth of experience in the Premier League, having managed both Tottenham and Southampton. And his success with both these clubs highlights his quality as a manager.
Pochettino’s tactical setup, coupled with his proficiency of nurturing young talents, would ideally suit the Arsenal philosophy. But, then again, the fact that the Argentine isn’t open to managing the Gunners would serve as a huge blow for the club.
Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta is perhaps the most interesting option available to Arsenal at the moment. The Spaniard has zero managerial experience at the highest level of football. But, he has worked wonders alongside Pep Guardiola during their ongoing spell at Manchester City.
Arteta’s knowledge of English football has helped Guardiola dominate the league and make Man City one of the most feared teams in Europe. And having worked with the Catalan for so long, the former Arsenal midfielder would essentially prefer the Juego de posicion style of play, which is ideal for the technically gifted players Arsenal have in their armoury.
That being said, Arteta’s lack of experience is always a risk. And it would perhaps be wiser for the Gunners to explore other options. Carlo Ancelotti, for one, would be an exciting choice along with Niko Kovac.
