Who could be in line to replace Mikel Arteta at Arsenal?

While Mikel Arteta might have once again praised his side’s display at Goodison Park on Saturday evening, it was another day to forget for Arsenal.

Slumping to a 2-1 defeat against Everton on the road and now in the midst of their worst start to a top-flight campaign since 1974, the Gunners are a club in the midst of a real crisis.

Collecting just 14 points since opening the 2020/2021 campaign and firmly looking over their shoulder at the drop zone, it is no surprise that many around North London are calling for a change in the dugout.

While Pep Guardiola’s former right-hand man might have guided Arsenal to lifting the FA Cup over the summer, Arteta faces a string of issues both on and off the pitch, something even the most experienced managers would find a challenge.

While Arteta might have got the full backing of technical director Edu last week, we have taken a look at three potential candidates who Arsenal could be taking a look at over the coming weeks.

Patrick Vieira

If Arsenal do elect to pull the trigger and end Arteta’s tenure at the Emirates over the festive period, the Gunners could be tempted to bring back another one of their former midfield stars.

After being given his own marching orders by French outfit Nice earlier in the month, former Arsenal captain and icon Patrick Vieira is now a managerial free agent and it is no surprise to many that the World Cup winner has been linked with a potential return to North London.

Still managing to guide Nice to a Europa League return last season, Vieira did gain plenty of plaudits during his two and a half year stay in Ligue 1 and has now managed to accumulate managerial experience from across the globe, something Arteta is lacking.

Priced at 10/1 with Betfair to be the next man occupying the Emirates’ hot seat, Frenchman cut his managerial teeth with MLS side New York City and would undoubtedly leap at the chance to make a Premier League return.

Brendan Rodgers

Guiding Leicester to their own victory across North London on Sunday afternoon thanks to a deserved 2-0 win against Tottenham, Brendan Rodgers has certainly gained a long list of plaudits for what has been an impressive spell at the King Power.

While the Foxes might have eventually failed to secure a top-four finish after returning from the restart over the summer, the one-time Liverpool boss has seen his squad book their spot in the knockout stage of this year’s Europa League.

Ending the weekend fixtures sat second in the table, this has not been the first time that Rodgers has been linked with a potential move to the struggling Premier League outfit.

Rumoured to have been on the Gunners’ radar after they opted to sack former boss Unai Emery last year, before eventually declaring his loyalty to Leicester, Sky Sports pundits Jamie Carragher told The Daily Mail last month that he feels Rodgers would be the perfect appointment for Arsenal.

Thomas Tuchel

While Thomas Tuchel might have guided PSG to their first Champions League final over the summer, many around the French capital feel that his time at PSG is drawing to an end sooner rather than later.

Having to settle for a 0-0 stalemate against title outsiders Lille on Sunday night, the defending Ligue 1 champions find themselves sat in third and they have shown a string of inconsistencies since opening the 2020/2021 campaign.

In fact, with four league defeats from 15 matches already this season, ESPN reports that another loss could push the German closer to the exit door with a potential replacement already lined up.

Involved in an ongoing spat with sporting director Leonardo, it was reported over the weekend that PSG have shortlisted Mauricio Pochettino or Massimiliano Allegri as their standout picks to replace Tuchel.

If Tuchel does become a managerial free agent after the festive period, there is no doubt that fans around the Emirates would relish the arrival of a manager who has guided PSG to back-to-back Ligue 1 crowns.