BRENDAN RODGERS and Steven Gerrard have been linked with the Arsenal manager’s job as pressure mounts on Mikel Arteta – after just ONE Premier League game.
And former Celtic target Eddie Howe, who rejected the opportunity to take over the Parkhead side in the summer before they moved for Ange Postecoglou, is also among the bookies’ favourites – if the axe falls on the ex-Rangers midfielder, according to a report in the Scottish Sun.
One-time Hoops gaffer Rodgers is priced at 13/5 by bookmakers Betfair to replace the Spaniard at the Emirates while Gerrard is also in the running at 17/1.
Howe, who has been out of work since leaving Bournemouth in August last year, is priced at 9/1.
UNDER PRESSURE…Mikel Arteta faces a media grilling.
Arteta’s position is already under scrutiny after a dreadful opening 2-0 defeat at newcomers Brentford where the Gunners were brushed aside in an embarrassing performance in which only Kieran Tierney, playing against his former Hoops team-mate Kristoffer Ajer, displayed any urgency for the visitors.
The North London club now face Champions League winners Chelsea on Sunday before taking on Pep Guardiola’s title-winners Manchester City at the Etihad six days later.
Arsenal also have off-the-field problems rumbling on. Scant detail has emerged for the absence of skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and French international striker Alexandre Lacazette nor Brazilian midfielder Willian, who posted a picture of himself training alone.
The focus is now firmly on Arteta who leads the sack race of potential victims prepared for the chop unless he can turn things around swiftly.
Rodgers, who quit Celtic for Leicester City in February 2019, is the leading contender. The Irishman, who claimed the FA Cup last season and opened the campaign with a 1-0 Charity Shield triumph over Guardiola’s men, was in the frame when Unai Emery was sacked in November 2019, but has frequently pledged his commitment to the Midlands club.
THE THINKER…Steven Gerrard has had a lot to ponder already this season.
Gerrard, who saw his Gers side crash out of the Champions League after crashing home and away against Malmo while also conceding their first league game in 40 outings with a 1-0 reverse at Dundee United, also gets a mention.
The Liverpool legend impressed critics last season when he guided Rangers to their first title in a decade and halted Celtic’s bid for a historic tenth successive championship.
Antonio Conte is second favourite at 9/2. The former Chelsea chief left his role at Inter Milan after guiding them to a first Serie A title in 11 years. He held talks with Spurs over the summer, but turned them down over concerns that they wouldn’t be able to challenge for silverware.
THE ODDS:
Brendan Rodgers – 13/5
Antonio Conte – 9/2
Massimiliano Allegri – 5/1
Eddie Howe – 9/1
Rafa Benitez – 10/1
Diego Simeone – 10/1
Ralph Hasenhuttl – 11/1
Gian Piero Gasperini – 14/1
Patrick Vieira – 14/1
Paulo Fonseca – 14/1
Freddie Ljungberg – 16/1
Sol Campbell – 17/1
Steven Gerrard – 17/1
Roberto Martinez – 20/1
Thierry Henry – 22/1
Maurizio Sarri – 25/1
Marco Rose – 25/1
Julian Nagelsmann – 33/1
Arsene Wenger – 40/1
Sam Allardyce – 50/1
