MARTIN KEOWN believes Arsenal should look at the possibility of appointing former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino should they sack Unai Emery.
Emery is under increasing pressure with Arsenal currently sixth and eight points off Man City in fourth.
Mourinho is now in the Tottenham hot seat replacing Mauricio PochettinoCredit: Getty – Contributor
With no win in five games in all competitions, there has been calls for the Arsenal board to make the decision to sack Emery and with Pochettino now available, Keown believes the Argentinian could be the answer.
Speaking to Sportsmail the former Arsenal man said: “There’s no need to panic at Arsenal.
“We are getting close to panic by the way, because we’re not having the best of seasons, but the powers that be at the top of the club should be seriously considering Pochettino.”
Pochettino was replaced by Jose Mourinho on Wednesday morning following a poor start to the season.
Spurs are currently 14th, eleven points off the top four.
An embarrassing 7-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League and only three wins in 12 in the Premier League has cost Pochettino his job after a successful five-year spell, achieving three top-four finishes and reaching the Champions League final last season.
Unai Emery has failed to sort out the mess at the Emirates and now his time is surely close to being upCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Keown believes Tottenham’s lack of transfer business over recent seasons may have had an impact on Pochettino’s sacking.
The former England defender said: “I have a lot of admiration for what he did at Tottenham, the way he nurtured those young players and he didn’t spend a great deal of money.
“I don’t think Tottenham spent enough.”
The 53-year-old isn’t the only one to suggest Arsenal should go after their rivals former manager.
Harry Redknapp, who left Spurs in 2012, also believes the Argentinian would be a good replacement for under pressure Unai Emery.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Redknapp said: “Why shouldn’t he go to Arsenal if he wants to?
“You think the Arsenal fans wouldn’t love him there?”
Keown also stated that Tottenham could’ve given Pochettino more time considering what he had done for the club: “I would have stayed with Pochettino.
“I think he deserved that. I think it’s a hugely significant sacking.
“You’re going to have managers now looking over their shoulders.
“I know the poor record he has recently, I know it all but I still would have given him another chance.
“I don’t like the way Tottenham have done it.
“There will be a lot of chairmen looking at him now.
“Manchester United wanted him this time last year.
“I think Arsenal would have to be interested if they want to take a step forward.”
Pochettino wouldn’t be the first to make the move across North London. Sol Campbell left Spurs for Arsenal in 2001, a move which understandably made him very unpopular to the Tottenham fans.
George Graham, who played for and managed Arsenal made the switch to White Hart Lane when he took over the reigns from Christian Gross.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
