Arsenal, for now, are opting to stick rather than twist. Saturday’s 2-1 Premier League defeat to Everton has raised yet more questions over Mikel Arteta and whether he’s the right man for the job. And with Massimiliano Allegri still available, the Italian might already be planning to take over.
Arsenal saw their winless Premier League run extended to a seventh match on Saturday.
Everton picked up all three points courtesy of a Rob Holding own goal and Yerry Mina strike, consigning the Gunners to yet another agonising defeat.
In the aftermath of that fixture, it’s emerged that Arsenal are behind Arteta. They feel he’s the right man for the job at the current moment in time, despite plenty of supporters saying otherwise.
Yet Allegri may already be planning to take over.
Speaking in December last year, the Italian revealed he’d been taking English lessons. Something that would certainly come in handy if he’s to replace Arteta at the helm.
“I am taking lessons here in Milan. I manage to speak quite well. I find the listening part a bit more difficult,” he said.
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“If I’m talking to someone who helps me out by speaking a little slower then I understand.
“I watch films [in English] and if I read something in English I understand it fine.”
A language barrier was one of the reasons why Arsenal overlooked Allegri last year.
But with the Italian now enhancing his vocabulary, it’s possible he could be tempted to finally chance his arm in the Premier League after successful stints at Juventus and Inter Milan.
What’s more, is the wheels could already be in motion.
Alan Smith, the former Arsenal star, recently claimed that outside forces were trying to make Allegri the Gunners’ next manager.
“As an inexperienced boss finding life difficult just now, the Spaniard will quickly find out if he's got the backing of his players, particularly senior ones more willing to speak out,” he said.
“Because when results go against you, when the going gets tough, footballers start to complain.
“Nothing new there. That has always happened. But the modern day player holds a lot more sway. They are indeed more powerful as independent entities earning serious money.
“In addition, it's an open secret among football agents that Max Allegri, the Italian coach who enjoyed great success at Juventus, is being recommended as Arsenal's next manager.