Arsenal travel to Norwich City for the first game of the post Unai Emery era on Sunday afternoon.
Freddie Ljungberg will take charge of the troubled side, who are looking to end a streak of seven successive games without a win – the club’s worst record in over a quarter of a century.
Norwich have been on a dismal run of their own since upsetting Manchester City in September, tumbling into the relegation zone.
However, Daniel Farke’s side finally brought an end to their own nosedive with victory against Everton last weekend and will sense the opportunity to upset another Premier League giant.
1/16 Who could succeed Unai Emery at Arsenal?
Here are 15 candidates ranked who could replace Unai Emery at the Emirates.
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2/16 15. Thierry Henry (Montreal)
After his catastrophic reign at Monaco, the chances of Henry returning to north London are far slimmer. However, if he’s successful in his new role with Montreal, he would still share a connection with Arsenal’s temperamental fan base like no other candidate.
AFP via Getty Images
3/16 14. Nuno Espirito Santo (Wolves)
The Wolves manager has had great success leading the side from the Championship to the Europa League. He’s still relatively young in managerial terms and could also bring close ties with ‘superagent’ Jorge Mendes.
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4/16 13. Marcello Gallardo (River Plate)
Linked with Barcelona as the successor to Ernesto Valverde, Arsenal could nip ahead in the race for the Argentine after River Plate’s defeat to Flamengo in the Copa Libertadores final.
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5/16 12. Rafael Benitez (Dalian Yifang)
Although only recently moving to China after ending his reign at Newcastle, the proposition of taking over at Arsenal would likely be too hard for the Spaniard to refuse. He would bring endless experience to the role, however, his appointment would not be a long-term solution.
Getty Images
6/16 11. Diego Simeone (Atletico)
Clubs have found it impossible to prise the Argentine away from Atletico, however, after eight years in Madrid, with the club undergoing a period of transition, Arsenal might be able to lure him away.
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7/16 10. Eddie Howe (Bournemouth)
The Englishman has been considered by a host of top Premier League teams but usually as a second-choice. Could Arsenal be the ones to throw their weight behind him after such a successful spell at Bournemouth?
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8/16 9. Ralf Rangnick
The architect of much of Red Bull’s footballing success, Rangnick has been subject to interest from a host of Europe’s elite clubs, including Arsenal. With Manchester United also mooted to be interested, it remains to be seen whether he’d consider a move to north London an attractive proposition.
Getty
9/16 8. Carlo Ancelotti (Napoli)
The situation at Napoli has become toxic over the past few weeks with players revolting against the ownership. Ancelotti was keen on the vacant Tottenham role and, on a short-term basis, he could be seen as a safe pair of hands to guide Arsenal through a troubled period.
AFP via Getty Images
10/16 7. Julian Nagelsmann (RB Leipzig)
The 32-year-old is widely acknowledged as the best young manager in football and someone Arsenal could seek to build a long-term plan around. However, they are far from the only club interested in tempting the German away from Leipzig.
Peter Kovalev/TASS
11/16 6. Patrick Viera (Nice)
The former Arsenal captain has always been linked with a return to the club and would surely be interested in the role. The ball is instead with the Gunners’ hierarchy to deem whether Vieira is ready after spells in New York and Nice.
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12/16 5. Max Allegri (Free agent)
The hugely successful former Juventus manager remains without a club after leaving the Italian champions in the summer after a disappointing Champions League run. He was included in Arsenal’s shortlist to replace Arsene Wenger.
AFP/Getty Images
13/16 4. Brendan Rodgers (Leicester City)
The former Liverpool manager is flying with Leicester and, after already being considered by the Gunners in the past, he would surely be one of their leading candidates – if he’s willing to leave the Foxes.
Getty Images
14/16 3. Freddie Ljungberg (Arsenal)
If Unai Emery is dismissed, it’s believed Ljungberg – his assistant – will at least be given a run of games to see whether he can carry the Gunners until the end of the season. If that spell turns out to be a success, there’s no reason why Arsenal wouldn’t continue with the well-liked Swede.
Getty
15/16 2. Mikel Arteta (Manchester City assistant)
Pep Guardiola’s assistant came close to taking the job at Arsenal before Unai Emery’s arrival. Whether he would be willing to depart the Premier League champions and a position as Guardiola’s successor remains a doubt. However, after studying under the greatest manager in football today, the former Arsenal midfielder’s potential is enormous and he’s already garnered great respect from senior figures and players at City.
PA
16/16 1. Mauricio Pochettino (Free agent)
The Argentine has publicly claimed he wouldn’t manage Spurs’ north London rivals. He’d also undoubtedly prefer a role at Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or PSG. However, he remains the clear betting favourite to replace Unai Emery and would surely be coveted by the Arsenal hierarchy – no matter how unlikely.
1/16 Who could succeed Unai Emery at Arsenal?
Here are 15 candidates ranked who could replace Unai Emery at the Emirates.
Getty
2/16 15. Thierry Henry (Montreal)
After his catastrophic reign at Monaco, the chances of Henry returning to north London are far slimmer. However, if he’s successful in his new role with Montreal, he would still share a connection with Arsenal’s temperamental fan base like no other candidate.
AFP via Getty Images
3/16 14. Nuno Espirito Santo (Wolves)
The Wolves manager has had great success leading the side from the Championship to the Europa League. He’s still relatively young in managerial terms and could also bring close ties with ‘superagent’ Jorge Mendes.
Getty
4/16 13. Marcello Gallardo (River Plate)
Linked with Barcelona as the successor to Ernesto Valverde, Arsenal could nip ahead in the race for the Argentine after River Plate’s defeat to Flamengo in the Copa Libertadores final.
Getty
5/16 12. Rafael Benitez (Dalian Yifang)
Although only recently moving to China after ending his reign at Newcastle, the proposition of taking over at Arsenal would likely be too hard for the Spaniard to refuse. He would bring endless experience to the role, however, his appointment would not be a long-term solution.
Getty Images
6/16 11. Diego Simeone (Atletico)
Clubs have found it impossible to prise the Argentine away from Atletico, however, after eight years in Madrid, with the club undergoing a period of transition, Arsenal might be able to lure him away.
Getty
7/16 10. Eddie Howe (Bournemouth)
The Englishman has been considered by a host of top Premier League teams but usually as a second-choice. Could Arsenal be the ones to throw their weight behind him after such a successful spell at Bournemouth?
Getty
8/16 9. Ralf Rangnick
The architect of much of Red Bull’s footballing success, Rangnick has been subject to interest from a host of Europe’s elite clubs, including Arsenal. With Manchester United also mooted to be interested, it remains to be seen whether he’d consider a move to north London an attractive proposition.
Getty
9/16 8. Carlo Ancelotti (Napoli)
The situation at Napoli has become toxic over the past few weeks with players revolting against the ownership. Ancelotti was keen on the vacant Tottenham role and, on a short-term basis, he could be seen as a safe pair of hands to guide Arsenal through a troubled period.
AFP via Getty Images
10/16 7. Julian Nagelsmann (RB Leipzig)
The 32-year-old is widely acknowledged as the best young manager in football and someone Arsenal could seek to build a long-term plan around. However, they are far from the only club interested in tempting the German away from Leipzig.
Peter Kovalev/TASS
11/16 6. Patrick Viera (Nice)
The former Arsenal captain has always been linked with a return to the club and would surely be interested in the role. The ball is instead with the Gunners’ hierarchy to deem whether Vieira is ready after spells in New York and Nice.
Getty
12/16 5. Max Allegri (Free agent)
The hugely successful former Juventus manager remains without a club after leaving the Italian champions in the summer after a disappointing Champions League run. He was included in Arsenal’s shortlist to replace Arsene Wenger.
AFP/Getty Images
13/16 4. Brendan Rodgers (Leicester City)
The former Liverpool manager is flying with Leicester and, after already being considered by the Gunners in the past, he would surely be one of their leading candidates – if he’s willing to leave the Foxes.
Getty Images
14/16 3. Freddie Ljungberg (Arsenal)
If Unai Emery is dismissed, it’s believed Ljungberg – his assistant – will at least be given a run of games to see whether he can carry the Gunners until the end of the season. If that spell turns out to be a success, there’s no reason why Arsenal wouldn’t continue with the well-liked Swede.
Getty
15/16 2. Mikel Arteta (Manchester City assistant)
Pep Guardiola’s assistant came close to taking the job at Arsenal before Unai Emery’s arrival. Whether he would be willing to depart the Premier League champions and a position as Guardiola’s successor remains a doubt. However, after studying under the greatest manager in football today, the former Arsenal midfielder’s potential is enormous and he’s already garnered great respect from senior figures and players at City.
PA
16/16 1. Mauricio Pochettino (Free agent)
The Argentine has publicly claimed he wouldn’t manage Spurs’ north London rivals. He’d also undoubtedly prefer a role at Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or PSG. However, he remains the clear betting favourite to replace Unai Emery and would surely be coveted by the Arsenal hierarchy – no matter how unlikely.
Here is everything you need to know about the game:
Team news
Norwich: Jamal Lewis has returned to training following a knee injury, while Todd Cantwell has recovered from a minor foot issue. Alexander Tettey will miss the match due to personal reasons.
Arsenal: Hector Bellerin, David Luiz and Shkodran Mustafi all face late fitness tests ahead of the game. However, Sead Kolasinac has been declared fit after a hamstring injury.
Confirmed line-ups
Norwich: Krul, Aarons, Zimmermann, Godfrey, Byram, Amadou, Trybull, Cantwell, McLean, Hernandez, Pukki
Arsenal: Leno, Chambers, Mustafi, Luiz, Kolasinac, Guendouzi, Xhaka, Willock, Ozil, Lacazette, Aubameyang
When is it?
The match is on Sunday 30 November.
When does it kick-off?
The match gets underway at 2:00pm.
How can I watch the match?
The match will be available to watch and stream on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event.
What are the odds?
- Norwich to win: 3/1
- Draw: 16/5
- Arsenal to win: 3/4
Prediction:
Arsenal are vulnerable and Norwich will relish the chance to take another huge Premier League scalp after upsetting Manchester City in September. Emery’s departure may galvanise some members of the squad, however, it could be another testing 90 minutes for the Gunners.
Norwich 2-2 Arsenal
