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Favourite to replace Wenger issues statement amid links with Arsenal job

By mac14 on May 14, 2018

Unfortunately it looks like Max Allegri is ready to snub Arsenal after declaring his intention to stay with Juventus next season.

Allegri has emerged as the front-runner with many bookmakers to take over from Arsene Wenger at the Emirates with the Frenchman set to leave this summer after 22 years in charge.

Wenger oversaw his final game as Arsenal boss yesterday with a 1-0 win at Huddersfield and after spending a few days in France, he will return to north London to clear out his desk later this week.

The board have been discussing potential targets and Allegri is widely reported to be on the short-list with Ivan Gazidis eyeing the Italian if they decide to hire an experienced manager rather than a young coach.

However, it looks like Allegri is ready to snub Arsenal’s advances as the 50-year-old has made it clear he intends to remain at Juventus unless the club sack him.

After securing a seventh consecutive Serie A title yesterday, when quizzed about links with Arsenal, Allegri is quoted by the BBC as saying:

“If they don’t fire me, then I think I’m staying at Juventus next year too,”

“It’s not an issue of decisions on the future, it’s about planning what the future of Juventus will be, because once we’ve finished celebrating, we have to sit around a table with clear heads,”

“When the next season begins, we all start from zero points and must continue proving we are competitive.”

I’ve made no secret that I think Arsenal need to bring in an established name to take over from Wenger and Allegri would be my clear choice.

We can’t underestimate how difficult it’s going to be for the new man to replace Wenger and I just think it will be too big an ask to hire an inexperienced coach such as Mikel Arteta or Patrick Vieira.

Allegri has vast experience at one of the biggest clubs in the world, can deal with big egos in the dressing room, is a superb tactician and is a winner. So he’d be the clear choice for me.

However, unfortunately it looks like he’s planning to stay with Juventus as it’s highly unlikely he’ll be sacked after winning a fourth consecutive league and cup double.

Where does that leave Arsenal? Probably edging towards Arteta….