Arsenal fans in the Transfer Tavern finally had something to cheer about this week their side got two much-needed victories.
Arsene Wenger’s men were thumped 4-0 by Liverpool just prior to the international break to again provoke questions about the Frenchman’s future, yet they responded emphatically with a 3-0 success over struggling Bournemouth on Saturday, with Danny Welbeck helping himself to a brace.
Alexandre Lacazette bagged his second Premier League goal of the campaign in the victory as well, and they took that form and confidence from the weekend into their Europa League clash with Cologne on Thursday, with Wenger’s men running out 3-1 winners at the Emirates Stadium.
Wenger has yet to win a European trophy in charge of Arsenal, yet one man who has plenty of experience in that department is Bayern Munich boss Carlo Ancelotti, who is reportedly eyeing up a return to the Premier League this summer.
The former Real Madrid and AC Milan chief led Chelsea to the title back in 2010 but was sacked a year later after a trophy-less campaign, yet he remains one of the most successful managers in world football having won three Champions League crowns, tying the great Bob Paisley at the top of that particular list.
And Arsenal is a possible destination for the 58-year-old, and here are FIVE former Ancelotti players who would seriously improve this Gunners team if he were to move to the Emirates…
Sergio Ramos
Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos has developed into one of the world’s best defenders during his stint at the Bernabeu.
The 31-year-old began his career as a right-back but has become an exceptional centre-back over years, who even chips in with the odd crucial goal to help the Galacticos win major trophies.
Quite simply, Arsenal haven’t been good enough defensively for many years now, but having someone like Ramos, who is strong, resilient, technically sound, and authoritative, would make a massive difference to the Gunners backline.
Whether he’d be interested in another challenge remains to be seen, but what a signing he could turn out to be were he wish to reunite with Ancelotti at Arsenal.
Thiago Silva
Like Ramos, Paris Saint-Germain’s Thiago Silva is up there as one of the best defenders in world football.
The Brazil international has won four Ligue 1 titles with the French giants since moving there in 2012, and although a Champions League crown still eludes the club, and indeed Silva, he has been the bedrock of their backline for many a year now – Ancelotti was the man in charge when he moved to the Parc des Princes five years ago.
The 32-year-old has everything you need to be a world-class defender in the modern game, while also has the leadership skills which have arguably been missing at Arsenal for many years now.
Undoubtedly, Silva is better than any defender at the Emirates, and would thus significantly improve this Arsenal team if he fancies a reunion with Ancelotti.
Toni Kroos
What team in world football would not be significantly stronger for having Toni Kroos in their ranks?
The 27-year-old is without doubt one of the best midfielders on the planet yet cost Ancelotti and Real Madrid just €30 million back in 2014 which, in today’s climate, is an absolute bargain.
The German World Cup winner has since been a regular in the Real side and has helped inspire them to back-to-back Champions League crowns as well as the La Liga title back in May, while appearing in the last four Champions League teams of the season, be it for Madrid or Bayern Munich.
He has everything you could want from a central midfielder, and would undoubtedly bolster an Arsenal midfield that has been lacking for several years now.
Kroos has won everything there is at Real and could be after another challenge – thus the chance to reunite with Ancelotti in England may be of interest.
Karim Benzema
France international Karim Benzema doesn’t quite get the same level of praise or media spotlight than the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, but there’s no doubting how integral he has been to Real Madrid over the years.
The 29-year-old has scored 182 goals in just 371 games for the Spanish giants since moving to the Bernabeu back in 2009, including 24 goals in only 52 games in Ancelotti’s first season in charge back in 2013/14, the year Real landed the Champions League.
And with 104 assists in his time in the Spanish capital, Benzema has proven himself to be a remarkable all round forward, and the sort of forward Arsenal have been crying out for in recent years.
They’ve been linked with the Frenchman in recent times, and those links may become even more prominent were Ancelotti to move to the Emirates.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Ancelotti has worked with some incredible footballers during his time as a manager, but Cristiano Ronaldo is probably the best of the lot.
The 32-year-old moved to Real Madrid back in 2009 and has since then gone on to score a sensational 409 goals in just 397 games for the European heavyweights, in which time he’s helped them to two La Liga titles, and three Champions League crowns.
In fact, it was under Ancelotti in the 2014/15 campaign when the Portugal international scored a stunning 61 goals in 54 games for the Spanish giants, which to this day remains his best goal-scoring season to date.
It goes without saying that Ronaldo would strengthen any side in world football, not least Arsenal, although it isn’t at all likely he’ll consider leaving the Bernabeu to link up with Ancelotti once again.
Never say never though!
