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Report: Arsenal discussing Pochettino as potential coaching candidate

IAN KINGTON / AFP / Getty

Arsenal see Mauricio Pochettino - the recently axed manager of local rivals Tottenham - as a viable candidate to replace Unai Emery, reports The Athletic's David Ornstein.

It's unclear how Pochettino - who is taking a break after being fired by Spurs last week - would react if Arsenal approached him, but he's said in the past he's too closely associated with Tottenham to ever consider coaching the Gunners.

The last time someone crossed the north London divide was in 2001 when Sol Campbell left Tottenham to join Arsenal on a free transfer. Campbell faced death threats after the move.

However, given Pochettino's success with young players at Tottenham, he fits the profile that Arsenal are looking for. The club reportedly views the current squad as rich in potential.

Nicolas Pepe - one of several players aged 24 or under at the club - has struggled to adapt to the Premier League since his £73-million move from Lille. He's joined by fellow youngsters Gabriel Martinelli, Lucas Torreira, Matteo Guendouzi, and academy product Joe Willock.

Pochettino, who reportedly banked £12.5 million in severance after splitting with Tottenham, could also wait until another job becomes vacant. Bayern Munich are coached by interim manager Hansi Flick, while questions remain over the future of Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

In the meantime, former Arsenal winger Freddie Ljungberg, who rejoined the club in 2018 as a youth coach, is serving as interim manager.

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