Premier League giants Arsenal are getting ready for an end of an era this summer.
Following his two-decade’s tenure at the helm of the north London club, Arsene Wenger announced he will be leaving the club at the end of the season.
What initially sounded like Arsene Wenger’s decision alone took a different narrative over the past couple of days when Arsenal boss himself somewhat bitterly revealed the conclusion to his glorious career at the Emirates was ‘not really my decision’.
Putting the timing of the decision aside – along with the manner it has been made – and digging through all the dirt that consequently surfaced, Arsenal fans should be most interested in who will succeed the experienced Frenchman.
Potential Candidates
The list of people being thrown into the mix for the Arsenal post is getting longer by the day with the likes of Rafael Benitez, Ralf Rangnick, Eddie Howe and even Eusebio Di Franchesco emerging as bookies’ options.
Still, the list of potential candidates includes not more than four people who are gravitating towards the job.
Patrick Vieira and Mikel Arteta as the two former Arsenal players who know the club inside and out are being widely touted to succeed the Frenchman. Practically a pair of novices is receiving a split support in this possible scenario.
The more established and illustrious names of Massimiliano Allegri, Joachim Loew, Carlo Ancelotti and Luis Enrique do indeed seem like more likely options. Allegri and Enrique have been identified as the bookies’ favoruites for the job with former Barcelona manager leading the line with a 3/1 price stacked in his favuor.
The Juventus boss is next with 6/1 betting odds whereas the Germany head coach Loew is one step behind him with 7/1.
The Best Option?
Talking about Arteta and Vieira who are beginning to build their managerial careers, the widespread opinion is that the two of them lack experience and knowledge to lead a club such as Arsenal.
The prospect of rewarding either of the two new coaches with a chance to promote their own brand and build a new empire around them the way Real Madrid are doing with Zinedine Zidane sounds tempting enough. Having in mind the situation Arsenal are currently in as an English top-four club struggling to uphold its stature against the top of the Premier League crop, a bigger name – a more respectable one in wider footballing circles – is what Arsenal should really be thinking about.
During his time at the club Arsene Wenger created a new philosophy, a new way Arsenal function as an establishment and that’s exactly what need to be taken into account when choosing the new permanent boss.
With an artistic style of play in mind and an attacking brand of football Arsenal have always been known for it is Luis Enrique who stands as the most appropriate and suitable choice in my view. Consequently, the former Barcelona man is available at the moment.
Rooting for Enrique
The north London club are said to be already in negotiations with the Spaniard. Chelsea are said to be eyeing the same man as a potential Antonio Conte replacement and it will be interesting to see what the future holds.
It is L’Equipe which claims the 47-year-old has been identified as the top choice, whereas the Spanish and English outlets add that Enrique is demanding a £200 transfer kitty as a guarantee that the club will allow him to transform the side and make Arsenal into genuine title contenders.
Analysing Enrique’s credentials ahead of his potential arrival to Arsenal, nine major trophies – including three Copa del Reys, two La Liga crowns and a Champions League title – speak volume of his ability.
Admittedly, Luis Enrique took over a well-polished side with a Pep Guardiola print still all over the team but it can be easily forgotten that the team he inherited won only a single piece of silverware in nine failed attempts prior to his arrival.
Moving on from famous ‘tiki taka’ Luis Enrique found his own formula that got the best out of the players he had at disposal and allowed him to forge one of the most dangerous and efficient front three the world had ever seen.
Spreading out Leo Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar across the final third of the pitch in form of a trident, Luis Enrique took a strong step away from the possession-based football which had the likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta at the centre of attention.
Enrique’s Barcelona was rapid and ruthless which is exactly what Arsenal fans are hoping will be said of their own club as the new dawn arrives.
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