PAUL MERSON believes the Arsenal job is “one of the worst in the game” and says even Jurgen Klopp or Pep Guardiola couldn’t revive the Gunners’ ailing season.
Freddie Ljungberg has taken one point from two games after taking over as interim boss in the wake of Unai Emery’s sacking last month.
Paul Merson says the game’s best managers would toil at the Emirates
The Swede saw his side go down to a dismal 2-1 defeat against a relegation battling Brighton on Thursday night and it looks likely the Gunners will look elsewhere for their next boss.
Having previously believed Brendan Rodgers may trade in Leicester City for the Emirates Stadium hot seat, Merson has now changed tune in a scathing attack on his former club.
“I said recently that Brendan Rodgers would go to Arsenal because of the size of the club. But after the weekend and the game on Thursday, I’m thinking why would you go to Arsenal? Why? What can you do there?” Merson told Sky Sports.
“Freddie can’t be that bad but he looks like he’s never managed a team before. It looks like he’s lost. He’s got the badges, he’s got the badges and must be thinking: ‘What chance have I got?’ These are international players.
“I think Klopp and Guardiola would struggle to come in and turn it around. It’s one of the worst j0bs in the game.”
Freddie Ljungberg has failed to lift his Arsenal side since taking chargeCredit: AFP or licensors
Merson’s comments come after a week in which a number of names have been linked with the top job at the North London club.
With the club sitting closer to the relegation zone than the top four in terms of points, Merson feels the more experienced contenders are likely to steer clear of the job.
He said: “You look at Max Allegri, why would he take the job? He’s won all those league titles. Why would he go to Arsenal.”
Ljungberg’s failure to hit the ground running has left the Arsenal hierarchy in a difficult position and it was hoped the fan favourite would be able to buy them some time to make an appointment.
The opposite has in fact proved to be true and Arsenal fans have only grown more impatient with an apparent lack of movement at board level.
Ljungberg’s struggles have contributed to the Gunners enduring their worst ruin of form in over 40 years and they are 10th ahead of a testing run December period.
They face champions Manchester City at home as well as a trip to top four chasing Chelsea before the end of the year.
Arsenal are back in action on Monday night when they travel to London Stadium to take on a West Ham United side with their own problems.
The Hammers were beaten 2-0 by Wolves as they put in a toothless display on the road in their most recent outing.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
