Arsenal
3 Top candidates Arsenal must consider as Emery replacement including 3-time PL winner
Three realistic options to replace Unai Emery at Arsenal
With half the Premier League season almost over, Arsenal are placed sixth in the table, one spot below newcomers Sheffield United and one above former title winners Manchester United.
After their recent 2-0 away loss to second-placed Leicester City, boss Unai Emery is under immense pressure.
The three-time consecutive Europa League winner with FC Sevilla (2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16) was a high-profile signing after leading French outfit Paris Saint-Germain to a league title victory in the 2017-18 season.
The Spaniard arrived at the Emirates the very next summer and qualifying to the Champions League had to be a priority since the London-based outfit last featured in the coveted competition in the 2016-17 season.
One year and four months into his Arsenal job, however, Emery is facing the heat after his side failed to register a single win in their previous four Premier League outings.
However, the Arsenal board has assured everyone that Emery is the right man for the job. That said, let us now take a look at three realistic options to replace the out-of-favour manager at the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta
Not the strongest of contenders around but surely, not the weakest either. One thing is certain – the fans would love it. And at such a difficult time for the club, who better than one of their own?
Arteta and Arsenal would be a match made in heaven if at all a deal goes through.
Being a former Gunner, it would indeed be a homecoming for the Spaniard, who, at present, is working as Manchester City’s assistant manager under Pep Guardiola.
Having spent some quality time under one of the most successful managers of the decade, Arteta could make use of the opportunity to script a story of his own if the job comes calling.
If it were to happen though, it would be a gamble, considering his inexperience at the top level.
Massimiliano Allegri
The former Juventus boss has been on the fringes since leaving Juventus last summer.
Currently out of a job, the experienced Italian had a hugely successful time with the Bianconeri, leading them to five successive Serie A titles and two Champions League finals.
However, the Premier League is one of the toughest leagues in the world due to its sheer unpredictability and it remains to be seen if Allegri would prefer a move, having spent his entire career in Italy.
Jose Mourinho
With a trophy cabinet as special as the Portuguese’s, it is hard not to include the ‘Special One’ in the list of potential candidates to take over at Arsenal. His CV alone can do all the talking.
A proven winner in Europe’s top-three leagues, Mourinho is more of a result-oriented tactician rather than a visionary manager.
Bringing him to the Emirates may be a short-term solution but it could save the Gunners from more blushes.
His recent spell at Old Trafford did cast some serious doubts on his glittering career. Mourinho’s time at United was a mediocre one and it will be interesting to see if he can work wonders with a side like Arsenal.
Read more:
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- Why it would be foolish of Arsenal to replace Emery with Gerrard
That said, the Portuguese continues to be one of the most high-profile names available in the market and moving to Arsenal would add another feather to his cap.
(Disclaimer: This article is purely an opinion of the author and does not intend to serve as a transfer rumour)
Arsenal Women host Manchester United on Saturday in a crucial six pointer for Champions League qualification. The Gunners sit just one point above United in the WSL table and victory at Emirates Stadium would give them a strong buffer, while defeat leaves them playing catch up in the race for Europe.
The match marks Arsenal’s return from the winter break following a busy week that saw Renee Slegers sign a new contract and Jodie Taylor promoted to Technical Director. However, the immediate focus is on securing three points against Marc Skinner’s side in what promises to be a tense encounter.
Kick-off: 12:30 GMT, Saturday, January 11, 2026
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
TV: Sky Sports (UK)
Cooney Cross Absent For Personal Reasons
Arsenal will be without Kyra Cooney Cross who has returned to Australia for personal reasons. Daphne van Domselaar is not quite ready to return from a quad injury while Chloe Kelly remains out with a knee problem. Jenna Nighswonger will not be in the matchday squad as she negotiates a loan move.
New signing Smilla Holmberg from Hammarby will be in the squad alongside recalled goalkeeper Naomi Williams. Manu Zinsberger and Katie Reid are out with ACL injuries. The absence of Cooney Cross means Mariona will likely drop into the deeper midfield role she has occupied for much of the last year.
United Strengthened in January
Manchester United have been busy in the transfer window, adding full back Hanna Lundkvist from San Diego Wave and centre forward Lea Schuller from Bayern Munich. Skinner was dealt a poor hand over the summer with a very small squad handling Champions League qualifiers and the group phase.
Predicted Lineup:
Arsenal (4-3-3): Borbe; Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe; Little, Mariona, Maanum; Mead, Russo, Smith
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Tullis Joyce; Lundkvist, Le Tissier, Janssen, Sandberg; Miyazawa, Zigiotti; Park, Malard, Awujo; Schuller
Also read: Arsenal Women disable social media comments after sexist backlash to new signing
Arsenal confirmed on January 9, 2026 that Jodie Taylor has been appointed as the club’s first ever Technical Director.
The 39-year-old former England striker moves up from her existing role as Technical Services Manager, a position she has held since September 2023 following her retirement from professional football.
Taylor’s promotion comes on the same day Arsenal announced Renee Slegers’ new contract extension through 2029, creating a strategic restructuring of the women’s football department.
A Decade Long Arsenal Connection
Taylor’s relationship with Arsenal spans ten years since first joining as a player in 2016. She scored 10 goals in 17 appearances during her initial spell before returning on a short-term deal in March 2023. Taylor earned 50 plus England caps during her international career and won the Golden Boot at Euro 2017.
She represented her country at the 2015 Women’s World Cup finishing third and played for multiple elite clubs including Lyon, Orlando Pride, Portland Thorns and San Diego Wave throughout her career.
Strategic Structural Development
Taylor’s new role bridges critical areas of football operations including recruitment, analysis, coaching and performance support. She will work closely with Renee Slegers on a daily basis as the Technical Director, providing structural support for coaching decisions and squad development.
Director of Women’s Football Clare Wheatley praised Taylor’s appointment as integral to continued development of the program as Arsenal challenges for major trophies consistently. Wheatley will now focus on upward management across UEFA, FIFA and domestic boards while Taylor handles day to day operations.
Building a High Performance Environment
Taylor expressed immense pride stepping into her new position, emphasizing Arsenal’s remarkable growth over the past decade. She committed to nurturing a high-performance environment where players, coaching staff and support teams have the right tools to deliver at the highest level.
Her appointment represents investment in female leadership within Arsenal’s technical infrastructure, aligning with the club’s commitment to developing their women’s program systematically and strategically moving forward into their next phase.
Also read: Arsenal Women disable social media comments after sexist backlash to new signing
Arsenal confirmed on January 9, 2026 that head coach Renee Slegers has signed a new long-term contract extending through the summer of 2029.
The 36-year-old Dutch coach was previously due to exit at the end of the 2025-26 season but now commits three and a half additional years to the club. Her extension rewards an extraordinary debut season where she guided Arsenal to historic UEFA Women’s Champions League victory after beating Barcelona 1-0 in the Lisbon final.
From Academy Player to Champions League Winner
Renee Slegers’ connection to Arsenal dates back decades. She played in the club’s academy as a teenager and watched Arsenal claim their previous Champions League trophy in 2007 from the stands. Her return to the club came in summer 2023 as assistant coach following two years leading Swedish club Rosengard where she won back-to-back Damallsvenskan titles.
She stepped into the interim role in October 2024 when Jonas Eidevall departed and impressed immediately with an 11-match unbeaten run. That performance earned her permanent appointment in January 2025, and by May 2025 she had delivered historic Champions League glory.
Arsenal’s Long-Term Vision
Slegers told club media that her journey from academy player to Champions League winning head coach represents immense pride. She stated the club has much to achieve together in the coming seasons. Arsenal Director of Women’s Football Clare Wheatley described Slegers as an elite coach with capabilities to lead continued title challenges.
Chief Executive Richard Garlick praised her impact driving standards and progress toward consistent top-level competition.
Jodie Taylor Joins as Technical Director
The announcement accompanied confirmation that former England international Jodie Taylor has been appointed Arsenal’s first ever women’s technical director. Taylor, who retired in 2023 after two Arsenal playing spells, will work closely with Slegers on recruitment, analysis and specialisation. Her role bridges previously disconnected recruitment and technical departments creating stronger operational cohesion.
Arsenal continues their title defence facing Manchester United on January 11 with five trophies remaining in play this season.
Also read: Arsenal star Kyra Cooney-Cross returns to Australia after mother’s terminal cancer diagnosis
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