You’ve seen and read this tagline everywhere for quite a while now, and the reality is it is more of a meme now than it has ever been.
But, if Arsene Wenger were to actually leave Arsenal (I myself am convinced he is in reality, capable of living until the age of 350 and plans to remain at the Emirates for at least another 300 years.) – who would replace him?
A big contender, is Diego Simeone.
If Arsenal could coax the Argentine from Atletico Madird, would it be a wise move?
I sure think so, and here are five reasons why.
NUMBER 5 – Potential.
As much as some rival fans don’t like to admit it (myself included) Arsenal do have bundles of potential.
With some of the names they have, and the style of football they ARE capable of playing, they could be molded into a strong force once again.
But why take my word for it?
“Arsenal are technically and tactically the best team in the league. Nevertheless, they have not won that much, so you have to look for that improvement with that team,” Louis Van Gaal, October 2015.
“I think Arsenal has the squad to be champions. And every season I feel that. I tell you if one of their players is a free agent and they don’t want him there, I get everyone. I like all of their players,” Jose Mourinho, September 2015.
NUMBER 4 – Money.
Arsenal do have money.
No, seriously.
Having spent over £90 million in the 2016 summer transfer window, Arsenal have shown that they CAN be big players in the transfer market.
The signings of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil are clear indications that when the Gunners WANT to spend big, they can.
Having managed Atletico on a shoestring budget, Simeone would be spoilt for choice at Arsenal.
After all, Simeone signed Antoine Griezmann for £24m, and is well on course to offload him for double that.
NUMBER 3 – Defensive problems.
Defending is a forgotten art in football sometimes.
People these days are so preoccupied with the glory heaped onto the forwards, or the players capable of pulling off a skill move, that they forget about the simple, yet incredibly difficult art of tough-tackling, no nonsense defending.
Players capable of this sort of work are exactly the kind of thing Arsenal have lacked over recent years, and if anyone can sort that out, its Simeone.
Diego Simeone took charge of Atletico in December 2011; in 2010-11, Atletico had conceded 53 goals in the league, and in the 2011-12 season, Atletico conceded 46 goals in the league. Over his first four full seasons in charge, Atletico Madrid then went on to concede just 31, 26 (title winning season), 29 and 18 goals.
No brainer.
NUMBER 2 – Mentality.
One of the biggest criticisms of Arsene Wenger is the type of mentality fans think he approaches games with – a mentality that rubs off on his players.
Many fans have often accussed the Frenchman of having a weak mentality, and a general acceptance of failure.
Once asked to describe his style as a player, Simeone quipped, “like a man holding a knife between his teeth.” A tenacious, combative midfielder in his formative years, Simeone’s teams are designed to operate in a very similar fashion.
To be a champion, you need to have the mentality of one, and Simeone seems like a man capable of drilling that into his players.
NUMBER 1 – Style.
His style of play is perfect for the Premier League, especially for the big matches on reputed away grounds like Anfield and Old Trafford. Having managed Radamel Falcao, Diego Costa, Mario Mandzukic and Antoine Griezmann, perhaps Simeone can sort out Arsenal’s long-standing striker problems also, and bring in a forward capable of banging goals away all over England.
Arsenal have been often accused of passing for passing’s sake; of trying to pass the ball into the net; under Simeone, that will NOT be the case, and ultimately may well be the exact thing the Gunners need to bring themselves back to the summit of the Premier League.