If Mikel Arteta leaves, here are four managers to help improve Arsenal

Mikel Arteta’s future at Arsenal is on the rocks after the club were knocked out of the Europa League by Villarreal on Thursday. The North London club have had a disastrous Premier League campaign and with their UEL hopes also thrashed, the Spanish boss will find it hard to convince people that he’s still the right man for the job.

With qualification to European football hanging by a thread, the boss finds himself in a tenuous position. It is extremely unlikely that the manager will be let go at this point in the season but there is a possibility that it will happen in the summer. Should a situation arise where the Gunners will have to look for a replacement, here are a few options.

Rafael Benitez

He is currently unemployed, but the Spaniard has had an illustrious career so far and would be a good option for the Gunners. Having already managed in the Premier League for an extensive period, he would know how to navigate the competition.

He is tactically astute and pragmatic manager, whose experience could help the North Londoners in their quest to return to the top. Benitez has coached some of the biggest clubs in Europe, winning many high profile trophies.

Massimiliano Allegri

It is surprising that a manager of Allegri’s pedigree hasn’t found a job yet after leaving Juventus in 2019. The Italian is known for his tactical intelligence and ability to shape the team to suit the players. After a trophy-laden spell in his home country, it will be interesting to see if he wants a new challenge in England.

At the time of his departure from Turin, he was one of the more respected coaches in the world. Allegri may not be the most attacking coach but is known to make his teams solid, compact, and hard to get past. In many ways, he is similar to Benitez.

Nuno Espirito Santo

Ever since he arrived in England from Porto, the Portuguese has been a revelation with the work done at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Backed by a talented squad, Santo has been able to guide his team to mid-table finishes and be in contention for European football with a free-flowing style of play.

Though not the most experienced option available, the manager’s time in the Premier League would bode well. Getting him away from Wolves would be difficult as his contract runs till 2023. But if the Gunners can convince him to make the move, it would be a bigger challenge and one that the 47-year-old is capable of taking on.

Gian Piero Gasperini

This would be a bit of an unexpected appointment but one of the more exciting options that the North Londoners could go with. As the manager of Atalanta, Gasperini has created a team that is capable of playing fast paced and breath-taking football. He has also taken the Bergamo side to unprecedented heights.

One thing for sure is that the Italian’s system would make good use of the attackers at the Emirates. The only factor that could go against him is the defensive record of his teams. With all of his coaching career spent in Italy, it remains to be seen how he will fit in at a new league. But if other mentioned targets are not available, this could be an option well worth exploring.

There are other managers that the Emirates side could look at, but these are some of the choices that could fit in perfectly. As much promise as Arteta held at the start of the season, it has gone downhill over the course of this campaign. With the club in need of a rebuild as far as the squad is concerned, it may result in a manager change as well.

We will know more about the managerial situation at the end of the season. The current boss has a few more games in the Premier League to redeem himself. But even with wins in all of the remaining matches, it may not be enough to keep him at Arsenal.