Arsenal have added Wolves manager Nuno Espírito Santo to the list of managers to replace current boss Unai Emery, who has failed to steady the ship in recent weeks.
Espirito Santo guided Wolves from the Championship to the Premier League, in his very first season in charge of the club.
According to Daily Mail, Santo is now the favourite to land the Arsenal job should the Gunners sack Emery. He has a contract with Wolves till 2021, but the Premier League side will want him to stay after all the success he has brought for them.
In Wolves return to the Premier League, Santo guided them to a 7th place finish, qualifying for the Europa League.
After a slow start to this season, Wolves have strung together a run of good results, which has taken them up to 5th in the Premier League table, above the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester United.
Nuno Espirito Santo would be a breath of fresh air at Arsenal
Nuno Espírito Santo has done exceedingly well as manager of Wolves, almost guiding the team to the knockout phases of the Europa League, while also doing well in the league.
The Portuguese manager has signed several players from Portugal, thanks to the links with super-agent Jorge Mendes – who is also his agent – and has made the Wolves side hard to beat.
While they may not play attractive, possession-based football, Santo’s teams are quick on the break, defend well and hard to break down – qualities that Arsenal desperately need in their team to minimise a tough transition period.
The difference in style of play could be a stumbling block in Santo’s appointment at Arsenal, as the London side’s fans have been spoilt with the kind of football they played in their heydays when former manager Arsene Wenger was in charge.
Another issue for Arsenal would be Jorge Mende’s interference in transfer dealings, which could disrupt how Arsenal run their transfer business. Mendes is known for inflating transfer values and being a hard person to bargain with.
But, Santo has shown that he can be a success in the Premier League with his Wolves side, which could possibly put him high up the Arsenal manager shortlist.
He has used the limited resources he has had very well, while delivering success as well. He could be a solid signing and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the is the next Arsenal manager.
