Unai Emery: Arsenal sack manager as Ljungberg takes charge
Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira should replace Unai Emery at the helm because he can restore the club’s original identity, according to Emmanuel Petit. The Gunners sacked Emery following a poor run of results that saw the team drop to eighth place in the Premier League, eight points adrift of the top four.
The north Londonders appointed assistant manager Freddie Ljungberg as the interim head coach but they are currently looking for a permanent boss.
A number of big names are said to be on Arsenal’s list but Petit insists his former team-mate Vieira should be given the reins.
The two former France internationals formed a formidable duo in midfield during the late 1990s under Arsene Wenger who built a strong identity that led to a number of titles.
They are amongst Paddy Power’s favourites to get the job, and they’d both be a good choice, but I would prefer to see Patrick Vieira on the bench
Emmanuel Petit
Petit praised Vieira’s work with young talent at Nice and says it reminds him of Wenger’s philosophy at the Emirates, which was heavily based on youth development.
That is why the ex-Chelsea star believes that the Ligue 1 boss would be a better fit for the role over other worthy candidates, like Mikel Arteta, as only he could carry on the same successful mentality that was key under Wenger to lead Arsenal back to the top.
Petit told Paddy Power: “As for Mikel Arteta, there’s a reason why Pep Guardiola asked him to join at Manchester City, and that’s a very, very good sign.
“I really respect Guardiola’s judgement. To me, it says that Arteta definitely has the personality to be Arsenal manager.
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“I know that seems harsh, and it isn’t easy being Arsenal manager, but after seven games without winning, and the shocking things we saw in the Frankfurt game, it had to happen. Emery had to be sacked, it’s as simple as that.
“The behaviour of the players, the team spirit, the selection, the substitutions, everything was wrong.
“And when you put yourself in the position of the owners and the shareholders, and you see an empty stadium, you know you’re losing money – and that was the last straw for Emery.”