in

Arsenal legend wants Conte to manage the Gunners

Arsenal legend and current Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has suggested that his former club should move to snap up Chelsea boss Antonio Conte if he is sacked by their London rivals Chelsea.

The former England international won two league titles during his time with the Gunners, and he told Sky Sports The Debate:

“The day Conte leaves Chelsea, if I was Arsenal, I’d be straight on the phone,”

“Managers like Conte don’t come along too often.

“Arsenal need someone that is going to go in there and upset people. Conte upsets people. He wants you to play a certain way and he’ll make you rock solid at the back. As soon as Arsenal get rock solid at the back, they’ll be a force.

Conte enjoyed a superb first season in England, winning the Premier League and reaching the FA Cup final, however his relationship with Chelsea’s hierarchy has become strained over recent months due to disagreements over the club’s transfer policy.

The Blues have also been in poor form recently, and reports were rife this week that the Stamford Bridge club had approached former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique to replace their under fire Italian coach.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger signed a new two year deal at the Emirates last season, but if the Gunners miss out on the top four this season, as looks likely, speculation suggests the 68-year-old Frenchman will leave the club this summer.