The last few days have shown the vast amount of anger and disappointment that the majority of the fan base has against the team at the moment. The Arsene Wenger situation has often divided the fans in the past, but I don’t think the fans have ever been so united in wanting Wenger out at the end of the season.
Rumours have been spreading all season that this could be the Frenchman’s last campaign in charge of Arsenal. Wenger himself has remained coy on the matter, whilst it’s understood that the Arsenal board have already drawn up a year extension for Wenger to sign. The board are also supposedly considering other options as well, should Wenger choose to call it a day at Arsenal in the summer. However there is one candidate for the job, who surprisingly heads the list.
Mauricio Pochettino is reported to be a high priority candidate for Arsenal this summer, with the Arsenal board having identified him as a manager who could take the club to the next level. Pochettino is young, ambitious and has a wealth of Premier League experience, meaning he could be the perfect fit.
The only issue is of course that Pochettino is the current manager of Arsenal’s biggest rivals, Tottenham Hotspur. His current side of course makes the task of obtaining the Argentine a lot harder, with those at White Hart Lane unlikely to let Pochettino leave with ease. Players and managers are known to have featured for both sides in the past, Sol Campbell and George Graham being prime case examples. However in this modern day era where money rules all, it will be quite difficult to prize Pochettino out of his current commitment to Spurs.
As hard as it may be to admit, Pochettino has taken Tottenham to the next level since he’s been in charge of the club. The side has gone from being a Europa League challenger, to aiming for the Premier League title and participating in Europe’s elite Champions League. Pochettino has worked wonders with Spurs both on the pitch in terms of quality and playing style, as well as off the pitch with transfers and business. If he was to be in charge of the Gunners, then I’m sure he’d be able to have a decent crack at taking Arsenal a step back up to the level we once were.
The likes of Simeone, Allegri and Howe are also reportedly high up the list of top candidates to replace Wenger as manager, once the Frenchman does call time on his association with Arsenal.
By AH