Pep Guardiola Arsenal's TOP TARGET to replace Arsene Wenger
Posted Friday, November 21, 2014 by Dailystar.co.uk
ARSENAL have pinpointed Pep Guardiola as the man they want to replace Arsene Wenger.
GET PEP: Arsenal want Pep Guardiola to replace Arsene Wenger should they decide to sack the Frenchman
Everton's Roberto Martinez has also been identified as having the potential to take over from the 66-year-old Frenchman, who has been Arsenal manager for 18 years.
But the Gunners are prepared to dream big and go for ex-Barcelona boss Guardiola, currently at Bayern Munich, if the club's slump continues.
The former Spanish defensive midfielder has made no secret of his desire to manage in England.
Before revealing in January 2013 he would be taking charge of the German giants he said in a filmed message to the FA: "As a player, I couldn't realise my dream to play there.
"But I hope in the future I have a challenge to be a coach or a manager there and feel the experience of all the coaches and players that have been there.
"It is unique, to play in that league. I want to feel the supporters, the environment, the media and the style of the players."
Despite helping Bayern retain their title last season, there have been constant suggestions of a clash of culture between the Spaniard and his German players.
Arsenal would seem to be an ideal fit for Guardiola, who is well aware of the total control Wenger has been afforded in north London in terms of playing style and signings.
The Gunners face Manchester United at home tomorrow, having dropped to sixth in the Premier League and 12 points adrift of leaders Chelsea.
Before the international break, Arsenal lost 2-1 to Swansea after leading with just 15 minutes left.
In the game before that they blew a 3-0 lead against Anderlecht in the Champions League by conceding three goals in the final half hour.
It leaves them still needing a point to guarantee progress to the knockout rounds, with a clash against Borussia Dortmund coming up next Wednesday.
Although Arsenal's largest shareholder, Stan Kroenke, has kept silent on the club's failure to bag trophies before last season's long-awaited FA Cup, he is well aware of the growing unrest among supporters.
A recent poll of fans found that 68 per cent wanted to see Wenger replaced.
It is unlikely Guardiola, who is under contract at Bayern until the summer of 2016, would be available until the end of the season.
Manchester City are also keeping tabs on the situation in Germany as they consider Manuel Pellegrini's long-term future as manager, although they are believed to favour Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone if they decide to make a change.
Meanwhile Olivier Giroud has handed Wenger a major boost by returning to fitness a month ahead of schedule.
Striker Giroud wasn't expected back until the start of 2015 after breaking his leg at Everton in August.
But he is in contention for tomorrow's crunch clash with United following a rapid recovery.
Captain Mikel Arteta is available again after missing the 2-1 defeat against Swansea with a hamstring injury.
Wenger also revealed defenders Laurent Koscielny (Achilles) and Mathieu Debuchy (ankle) are three weeks away from returning to full training.
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