Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has outlined the ‘set of values’ he wants in the next Gunners boss after the sacking of Unai Emery.
Freddie Ljungberg has been placed in temporary charge of the north London giants, but Keown wants someone with a long-term vision to take the reins at the Emirates Stadium.
“There has been lots of speculation about who Arsenal want as their next permanent manager but I am not really bothered specifically who that person is, more about the set of values and qualities that they will bring,” he told the BBC. “I want someone with charisma. A good communicator and a motivator, who can bring the right balance to their style of play.
“Above all, though, Arsenal need a winner. Someone with a long-term vision for the club, and the ability to see that vision through. That should make it an easy interview for most managers, because it is quite obvious – strengthen the centre of defence and midfield and Arsenal can be a real force in the Premier League.”
Is Keown’s ideal candidate out there?
Sorting out Arsenal’s problems probably isn’t quite as simple as Keown makes it sound, although solidifying the back four and the midfield would certainly go a long way to improving things at the Emirates.
However, it’s going to cost a lot of time and a lot of money to get things truly sorted at Arsenal, and the next manager will have to show tangible progress in the next season or so to be given that time and that money.
Someone who is capable of improving players in the short term AND building a long-term vision for the club is Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers, a man who has already been installed in the running to replace Emery.
Would he leave the Foxes for the Gunners? Maybe, maybe not. However, he is probably the closest thing to what Keown has laid out here.
