ARSENAL will step up their search for a new manager this week – but punters have already started to talk with their money over who will get the job.
The Gunners are looking for a new man to replace Unai Emery – who was sacked on Friday after seven games without a win.
Freddie Ljungberg has been handed control on an interim basis, with director Josh Kroenke insisting he has faith in the Swede and the players to deliver.
But after Arsenal scrapped out a 2-2 draw at Norwich in their first game under Ljungberg’s control the Gunners board will now start the hard work of whittling down contenders.
And if the betting market is any indication of who they should turn to, there are three clear names at the head of the list.
Bookmakers Ladbrookes have come up with a top ten list of who has had the most money gambled on contenders to get the job.
And the clear front-runner in the eyes of the punters is Italian Max Allegri.
The former Juventus boss has had more money bet on him taking over at the Emirates than anyone else, even though there are indications he has no interest taking over mid-season.
Next on the list is former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino, despite him being in a position where he knows his next offer could come from Real Madrid, Manchester United or Bayern Munich.
And the third most popular name for the punters is Patrick Vieira, with fans believing Arsenal could follow United and Chelsea in appointing a club legend.
When Emery was axed on Friday, one of the most talked about contenders was the Wolves manager Nuno Esporito Santo.
But the Portuguese has very little support on the betting exchanges, only ranking tenth on the money staked list.
There is a surprising amount of money being spent on believing Rafa Benitez could be the choice.
Though if Arsenal want to appoint the ex-Liverpool and Newcastle boss, they will have to match the £12m-a-year he earns working in the Chinese Super League.
[pod_component pod_component_config_id=”bWMArKDIZ” pod_component_config_url=”https://www.thesun.co.uk/nu-sun-pod-component-config-prod/bWMArKDIZ.json” pod_component_config_loader_url=”https://www.thesun.c
o.uk/nu-sun-pod-loaders-prod/1.66.0/componentLoader.js?82876″ src=”https%3A%2F%2Fiframe.thesun.co.uk%2Fnu-sun-pod-widgets-prod%2Fiframe-pod.html%3Fid%3DbWMArKDIZ%26script%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesun.co.uk%2Fnu-sun-pod-loaders-prod%2F1.66.0%2FcomponentLoader.js%3F82876%26config%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesun.co.uk%2Fnu-sun-pod-component-config-prod%2FbWMArKDIZ.json”]
Arsenal legends want Gunners hero Patrick Vieira to replace Unai Emery
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
