Arsenal target Brendan Rodgers has signed a new contract with Leicester City committing his future to the club until 2025.
The Gunners are struggling under interim manager Freddie Ljungberg and the board are reportedly turning their attention to other targets.
The North London club are on their worst run in 42 years. Defeat to Brighton leaves them nine games without victory and the caretaker boss without a win since taking over from Unai Emery.
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With Ljungberg’s poor start and with the Foxes tying their man down to a long-term deal, we take a look at the three top names still in the running.
Mikel Arteta
Source: Ronnie Macdonald (Flickr) | Arteta played for Arsenal between 2011-16.
Having played under Arsene Wenger for five years, including two as captain, he understands the club better than most.
Since retirement, he’s served under Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and has been regularly linked to the top jobs.
Ladbrokes have him as favourite with odds at 13/8.
https://soundcloud.com/daniel-taylor-140364170/arsenal-job-mikel-arteta
Massimiliano Allegri
Source: Romeo Agresti (wikipedia) | Allegri during his playing days at Pescara.
Former Juventus manager Max Allegri has routinely been linked with a move to the Premier League and is understood to be living in London.
He has been out of work since leaving Turin at the end of last season.
At 3/1, Sky Bet have him as favourite to become Arsenal’s next permanent manager.
https://soundcloud.com/daniel-taylor-140364170/arsenal-job-max-allegri
Patrick Vieira
Source: Steindy (wikipedia) | Between his stints in England, Vieira also played for Juventus and Inter Milan.
Another former Arsenal man, Patrick Vieira experienced success with New York City FC guiding them to the MLS Cup playoffs.
But he’s had a tougher time at Nice with the French side currently sitting 14th in Ligue 1, suffering 4-1 defeats at the hands of PSG and Saint-Étienne.
Paddy Power and Betfair both have him joint favourite at 9/2.
https://soundcloud.com/daniel-taylor-140364170/arsenal-job-patrick-vieira
Other candidates
Despite the poor start to his managerial career, Freddie Ljungberg could still be in the frame if he can turn results around. The Swede will be hoping to bounce back at the London derby against West Ham on Monday.
Former Spurs man Mauricio Pochettino is still in the conversation with the likes of Martin Keown having previously called on the Argentine ahead of Unai Emery’s sacking.
If Arsenal nab Pochettino, this season’s mess is easily forgiven. Would be delighted with him.
— FK ☕️ (@fkhanage) December 6, 2019
Despite questions raised about whether Arsenal would be willing to pay out a buyout clause for another Premier League boss, Eddie Howe and Nuno Espirito Santo have both been among the bookies favourites since the job became available.
My top 3 picks for the next manager at Arsenal:
1. Brendan Rodgers
2. Mas Allegri
3. Rafa Benitez— Bergkxmp (@bergkxmp_49) December 1, 2019
And ex-Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez is also in the frame. The Spaniard is currently at Chinese side Dalian Yifang but with the Super League season now over, he could make the move.
Words: Dan Taylor | Featured Image: Pixabay