According to reports from The Sun, Arsenal are strongly considering Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe as a replacement for Arsene Wenger.
What’s the word?
With Wenger’s contract due to expire at the end of the season, The Sun claim Howe is under ‘serious consideration’ to succeed Le Prof – with his name being discussed in the ‘corridors of power’ at the Emirates Stadium.
Of course, this theory is nothing new. Last week, Mirror Football’s Arsenal expert John Cross described Jack Wilshere’s loan move to the Vitality Stadium as a ‘nine-month audition’ for Howe to prove he can get the best out of big talents and big personalities. Should he succeed in bringing Wilshere back to his best, Cross claims the Premier League’s top clubs will be forced to take note – with the Gunners amongst the likeliest to do so due to Wenger’s aforementioned contract status.
Is he any good?
No doubt, Howe is the rising star of the English management scene. He’s masterminded Bournemouth’s rise from the depths of the Football League to the top flight, winning three promotions during two spells on the South Coast. The 38-year-old was also named LMA Manager of the Year, Championship Manager of the year and Football League Manager of the Decade in 2015. He kept Bournemouth in the Premier League last season by the relatively safe margin of five points and was even billed as a ‘leading candidate’ for the England job by The Daily Mail back in July.
Impressive stuff for a manger who’s still the right side of 40. But it should be remembered that, in the context of the last few seasons at least, Howe’s had financial backing. Over the last three transfer windows, including this summer, he’s spent around £80million.
What would Howe bring to Arsenal?
Howe’s footballing philosophy is best described as optimistic and earnest. His players roll their sleeves up but also look to play good football, be it with electric pace on the counter or keeping possession to work opportunities around the box. In that sense, he’s certainly a student of the Wenger school of thought.
Howe also places a strong emphasis on young, English talent, evident enough through deals for Tyrone Mings, Benik Afobe and Jordon Ibe – all of whom joined the Cherries aged 22 or younger for club-record transfer fees. Likewise, as previously discussed, he’s now given himself the challenge of unleashing Jack Wilshere’s full potential.
That could be something of real interest to Arsenal. Wenger has spent significantly, in terms of both money and effort, to create a prominent English contingent at the Emirates but presently, it’s just not delivering. Wilshere’s move away from the north London is symptomatic and none of the contributions from Arsenal’s England internationals were exactly outstanding last season, as shown below (courtesy of Squawka).
Will Wenger actually step down?
That’s the million-dollar question. Three years ago, Wenger’s reign looked set to come to an end but Arsenal won the FA Cup – their first trophy in a decade – and he signed a new deal. Intriguingly, BBC Sport journalist David Ornstein said in an interview with @TheAFCBell last month:
Huge insight from Ornstein as to whether the Arsenal hierarchy are feeling our frustration from Gunners
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