Arsenal are set for a tricky few years, with this summer being a major test for the North London giants as they look to build upon the back-to-back FA Cup success and push for the Premier League crown.
Whilst it remains to be seen whether Arsenal’s challenge for the Premier League title proves to be successful, it’s pretty clear that the Gunners are still in the title race mainly because no other side has been able to get a grip on their season.
Had the likes of Manchester City or Leicester City found regular form of their own, Arsenal would have been out of the title push in the early stages once again. For Gooners, this simply isn’t acceptable.
This year, Manchester United and Chelsea will invest significantly to get their own squads up to scratch, whilst Manchester City enter a new dawn under Pep Guardiola and Liverpool will get shaken-up by Jurgen Klopp. Add the high-flying Tottenham Hotspur to the mix and it leaves six quality teams fighting for four Champions League spots.
Arsenal pride themselves in being regulars in Europe’s elite competition but the progression from other teams presents a serious threat. Therefore, it might be time for a change in North London and there’s some good reasons as to why Arsenal should replace Arsene Wenger with Jose Mourinho.
Hit the image below to see FIVE reasons Arsenal should replace Wenger with Mourinho!
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Champions League success
Arsene Wenger has never been able to crack European football’s hardest nut and since finishing runners-up in 2006, the Gunners greatest achievement in Europe has been reaching the semi-finals in 2009. In a double header against Manchester United, Arsenal were comfortable beaten 4-1 on aggregate.
Since then it’s been a case of close but no cigar, with the quarter-finals being the furthest Arsenal have got. In fact, Arsenal have been knocked out in the Round of 16 in each of the last five seasons. For a club like the Gunners, it simply isn’t good enough.
Whilst Jose Mourinho didn’t achieve success with Real Madrid and Chelsea in Europe, he did lead Porto to a surprise win in 2004 and achieved a similar feat with Inter Milan in 2010. He has the experience to lead Arsenal to further glory and his record in Europe is much better than Wenger’s.
League pedigree
It’s well documented that Arsene Wenger hasn’t lead Arsenal to Premier League glory in 12 years, although he did lead the Gunners through an unbeaten season. Despite that, Mourinho’s record in English football is solid and his success with Chelsea a decade ago saw the Blues boast the highest points total in Premier League history.
Since Wenger last won the Premier League, Mourinho has won it three times during two spells at Chelsea, as well as enjoying success with Inter Milan (twice) and Real Madrid. In total, since winning his first league title with Porto in 2003, Mourinho has won eight league titles in 13 seasons.
Simply put, Mourinho has won a league title with every club he’s managed since 2002.
Strong record against top sides
As well as enjoying success with trophies, Jose Mourinho has always had a strong record against rival clubs. That’s something Arsenal know only too well, as the only time they beat a Chelsea side managed by Mourinho was in last summer’s Community Shield.
Heading into this season, Mourinho had lost on just one occasion against United, City, Liverpool and Arsenal. Wenger, meanwhile, has suffered 8-2 defeats, 6-0’s and other embarrassing score-lines in big games.
One potential reason for this is Wenger is fairly arrogant, not willing to concede his style of play whatever the match. Mourinho, meanwhile, will sacrifice one result for the greater good. It may not be pretty but it works.
Big appeal
Arsene Wenger has a big appeal in Europe, with many top players wanting to play under him, but it’s clear the Frenchman is a shadow of his former self. He’s a man on the decline and any player arriving at Arsenal knows he could step down any year.
Mourinho, however, still has years ahead of him. He’s just 53-years-old, which means he could still enjoy another decade at the top levels of management. Whilst he’s unlikely to have just one job in that time, he could set Arsenal up for success immediately and ensure a smooth transition.
Highly competitive
Jose Mourinho’s sides are always highly competitive. He takes his battles into the press conferences and onto the field, which has earned him a lot of criticism. It’s an admirable trait at times though and it’s the polar opposite of Arsene Wenger’s style.
That could be good for Arsenal, as someone too similar will be compared to Wenger. No matter who comes in, replicating Wenger’s success is nigh impossible and it would be detrimental to any new boss to be compared to one of Arsenal’s greatest ever managers.
Whilst comparisons would naturally be made between Wenger and Mourinho, the differences between the two would ensure this wouldn’t be a massive problem.
