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Time’s Up For Arteta - Conte or Zidane To Follow?

The position of manager at Arsenal has been a cursed one ever since Arsene Wenger’s retirement. Those who have followed the great Frenchman have seen nothing but mediocre performances and mid table finishes behind the likes of West Ham. Despite initial excitement, the addition of Mikel Arteta hasn’t brought any additional glory to London’s north end and has managed only two 8th place finishes and a FA cup trophy. Now for a mid-table team this would be acceptable, but for a side who is supposedly within the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’, it hardly stands up against the achievements of Arsenal’s rival clubs. The need for change is severe, but the next manager to run through the gauntlet will certainly have their hands full. 

As of now, there are two big name managers on the market, Antonio Conte and Zinedine Zidane. Both men have had great success in their managerial careers, combining for 15 trophies between them, but in terms of style and philosophy they couldn’t be more different. 

Conte has primarily used a 3-4-3 formation with a focus primarily on solid defence and quick flanking attacks that result in easy tap in opportunities for strikers. Arsenal’s troubles have originated from a lacklustre back line that tend to play as if they have a combined age of 205. Conte’s presence would be sure to attract the talents of at least one good centre back, enough to at least tip the scales in the Gunners favour defensively. In terms of attacking, Arsenal are soon to face the inevitable with the sale or retirement of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang but luckily the locker room is filled with some of the best young talent that the Premier League has to offer. The quickness and versatility of players such as Bukayo Saka, Kieran Tierney, and Emile Smith Rowe will be sure to grow further under Conte and are already used to providing the spark that eludes most match days at the Emirates. 

Whilst Conte has already had experience in both managing and winning in the Premier League, Zidane has neither and whilst his philosophies may fit with the young talent already at Arsenal, the Gunners bank account is just not big enough to support a manager like Zidane. With 3 Champions League titles under his belt, a move to North London would be a significant downgrade from the sun and glory of the Spanish capital. Nevertheless, who’s to say that after all that winning, Zidane might want a challenge that would capture the hearts and minds of a dying Premier League franchise. 

In reality, both these managers will have Arsenal at the bottom of their summer wish list and are currently favourites for jobs elsewhere. Arteta remains anchored to the Gunners until at least 2023, and will therefore remain as one of the most uninspiring and tedious sides in the Premier League. 

Arteta - skysports.com


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