According to recent reports, Arsenal have identified Maurizio Sarri as a potential replacement for Arsene Wenger. The Napoli mastermind has raised a lot of eyebrows with his attractive brand of football over the past few years and is currently in contention to replace the legendary Frenchman next season.
Arsenal have already been linked with a host of highly talented managers across Europe, including the likes of Thomas Tuchel and Julian Nagelsmann. However, Maurizio Sarri could be an ideal choice for the club, for a number of reasons.
Since being appointed as the head coach of Napoli in the summer of 2015, Sarri has played a critical role in the club’s success over the past few years.
Although Napoli have failed to finish within top four in the Serie A only once in the last six years, they have never really managed to pull off a strong fight for the title. However, with Maurizio Sarri, the Ciuciarellis are trailing league leaders Juventus by just one point and have a significant chance of winning the Serie A title come the end of the season.
The 59-year-old has successfully managed to inculcate a specific brand of football during his time with the club, which has been one of the main reasons behind their success in recent years.
While Napoli’s overall dynamics have significantly improved in the past couple of years, the Italian mastermind has also been able to transform a host of players into world class individuals. The likes of Marek Hamsik, Dries Mertens and Kalidou Koulibaly, in particular, have emerged as some of the best players in their respective positions under the guidance of the former Empoli manager.
Therefore, Maurizio Sarri is definitely an interesting candidate for Arsenal. The Gunners have lacked any kind of identity in the last few seasons. Hence, the appointment of the Italian head coach could definitely help the North-London side rise back among the European elite. In addition, Sarri’s possession-based game will make it easier for the current crop of players to blend in with the new manager’s line of thought, thanks to Arsene Wenger’s similar strategy of ball retention.
Furthermore, the 59-year-old is also known for his ability to nurture young talent, a trait which is firmly in line with Arsenal’s ethos of giving youngsters the opportunity to prove themselves on the big stage. Therefore, the likes of Alex Iwobi, Calum Chambers and Rob Holding will be delighted should the Italian take charge next season. It will be interesting to see whether or not the Gunners follow up their interest in the Napoli boss as they look to hit the reset button next season, following the end of a hugely successful era under Arsene Wenger.