A prominent radio host has suggested that Arsenal should sack Unai Emery and replace him with Jose Mourinho.
TalkSport presenter Adrian Durham is no stranger to controversial opinions and is often heard delivering verdicts that get fans’ backs up.
But would swapping Emery for Mourinho really be that crazy an idea?
Durham is not the only one to have mooted such a change, with many fans tentatively asking the question on social media, too.
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Mourinho has been out of work since leaving Manchester United in December last year. He has been working as a pundit for a number of different TV companies, most recently working with Sky Sports.
He was in the studio for the North London Derby with Tottenham a little more than two weeks ago and he suggested then a number of different ways that he would set up this current Arsenal team if he was manager, including how he would use Nicolas Pepe, Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as a front three.
So, what would Mourinho REALLY do with Arsenal’s front three?
And, where would the Gunners finish in the Premier League with the Portuguese manager in charge.
We used Football Manager 2019 to have a bit of fun and try to predict Arsenal’s season with Jose Mourinho in charge.
Here is Jose Mourinho’s profile on Football Manager 2019.
To set up this simulation, we used a fan made editor file to sort out all the latest player transfers, manager changes, promotions, relegations, cup winners and play-off winners, to make the game as realistic as possible.
The only thing that wasn’t accurate is the fixture list, which is different to the 2019/20 season schedule already confirmed by the Premier League.
We then loaded up the Football Manager editor, sacked Unai Emery as Arsenal manager and brought in Jose Mourinho as his replacement.
Interestingly, the first thing Mourinho did was insist on the sacking of director of football Raul Sanllehi, as he wanted to be in control of all transfers. He’s not messing around.
So, what would Mourinho REALLY do with the Gunners front three?
Here’s what happened.
Arsenal’s front three stats in 2019/20
Alexandre Lacazette
Appearances: 54
Goals: 26
Assists:10
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Appearances: 56
Goals: 21
Assists: 7
Nicolas Pepe
Appearances: 42
Goals: 17
Assists: 12
Between the Gunners front three, they directly contributed towards 93 goals throughout the season, including 64 goals and 29 assists between them.
Lacazette contributed the most, with 26 goals and 10 assists in all competitions, with Aubameyang and Pepe not far behind.
Arsenal’s memorable performances in 2019/20
Arsenal 2-1 Tottenham
According to Football Manager 2019, Arsenal would have won the NLD with Mourinho in charge, with Aubameyang scoring a dramatic late wnner.
Arsenal 3-0 Man City
Mourinho’s Arsenal also got an outstanding victory against Manchester City, with Torreira, Ozil and Lacazette scoring in a 3-0 victory.
Arsenal 2-1 Man United
The Gunners also beat Mourinho’s old side Manchester United, ironically, with youngsters Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith-Rowe both scoring.
Chelsea 0-2 Arsenal
Mourinho also beat his other former club Chelsea, with Ozil scoring twice in a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal’s best XI in 2019/20
This is the lineup that performed best for Mourinho, as the Portuguese manager took his own advice, playing a number 10 in Ozil, behind Alexandre Lacazette, in order to link the front three.
It was interesting that Ozil was a key player for Mourinho in the 2019/20 season, with Torreira and Ceballos providing the legs and brains in midfield to cover for the German in the defensive phase.
Arsenal’s Premier League performance in 2019/20
Goals scored
Only Manchester City scored more goals than Arsenal under Mourinho in 2019/20.
Goals conceded
Interestingly however, Mourinho’s side didn’t have a brilliant defensive record, conceding 11 goals more than the best side Liverpool.
But, the 38 goals conceded is 13 less than Emery’s side conceded in 2018/19, so it’s still a big improvement.
Clean sheets
Only Alisson and Pickford earned more clean sheets than Bernd Leno in 2019/20.
Average possession
In terms of possession, Arsenal were the fourth best side in terms of keeping the ball, averaging 55% possession, with only Spurs, Liverpool and Man City averaging more.
Arsenal’s individual player stats in 2019/20
Here are the top goalscorers for Arsenal in 2019/20.
Interestingly, some of the best Arsenal youngsters flourished under Mourinho, with Reiss Nelson (44 apps), Emile Smith-Rowe (33 apps), Gabriel Martinelli (13 apps), Joe Willock (7 apps), Ainsley Maitland-Niles (13 apps), even Mavropanos (13 apps) getting significant game time.
Not surprisingly, Lacazette, Aubameyang and Pepe were the club’s best in front of goal.
Premier League top goalscorers
Both Lacazette and Aubameyang featured in the Premier League’s top goalscorers list, such was Arsenal’s attacking prowess.
Premier League top assists
In addition, both Pepe and Ozil featured in the top assists list.
Top performers overall
Overall, Nicolas Pepe had the highest overall rating (7.40), followed by Kieran Tierney (7.38), Mesut Ozil (7.37), Lacazette (7.33) and Aubameyang (7.29).
Arsenal’s Premier League finish in 2019/20
This all led to an outstanding second place Premier League finish in 2019/20, with Mourinho helping the Gunners to finish above Manchester City and just two points behind champions Liverpool.
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U guys just made me want to see Jose at arsenal coz i believe that’s what he would exactly do. He’s highly welcome