Paul Merson names his three picks as potential next Arsenal manager

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Paul Merson has detailed who his preferred choices would be to take the vacant managerial position at his former club Arsenal.

The Gunners sacked Unai Emery from his position on Friday, with Freddie Ljungberg becoming the new caretaker boss at the Emirates Stadium while a full-time replacement is lined up.

Pundit Merson has put forward Leicester City’s manager Brendan Rodgers and Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Nuno Espirito Santo as two possible options to explore, as well as the available Mauricio Pochettino following his recent exit from Tottenham.

Sky Sports have reported that Rodgers and Nuno are shortlisted for the Arsenal position, as well as Max Allegri, Mikel Arteta and Carlo Ancelotti.

Meanwhile, the Telegraph have named Pochettino as one of the contenders too to replace Emery.

“Arsenal should go for Mauricio Pochettino or Brendan Rodgers now they’ve finally put Unai Emery out of his misery,” Merson wrote in the Daily Star.

“I’m all for Rodgers getting the job. He’s a proven coach. He improves players – and these players need to be improved!

“I like Nuno Espirito Santo at Wolves as well. And Pochettino is a top manager who is out of work and available. He might be tempted.

“They just have to make sure they get this appointment right because it’s a crucial decision that will decide Arsenal’s future.”

TBR’s View:

It’s no surprise that Emery has now departed Arsenal after a rough start to the season in North London and it seemed like an impossible task to win back supporters.

The Gunners have been linked with some top-class managers so far and it will be intriguing to see how quickly they act to bring someone new in.

There is every chance that club legend Ljungberg could get an instant reaction out of the squad, with his first game in charge away to Norwich City on Sunady.

But Arsenal need to bring in a quality manager to transform a squad and club that are massively underperforming at present.