Arsenal draw up three-man managerial shortlist as pressure mounts on Unai Emery

Arsenal have identified three potential managers should they decide to sack Unai Emery, according to reports.

The Spaniard is under massive pressure with his side having picked up just three points from their last five Premier League matches.

Saturday’s last-gasp 2-2 draw at home to a struggling Southampton leaves the Gunners eighth in the table and eight points adrift of fourth placed Chelsea.

Now the Mail Online report that the North London club’s board members are looking at Emery’s position and have even drawn up a three-man shortlist of potential replacements.

Despite managing rivals Tottenham Hotspur it’s claimed that Mauricio Pochettino is one of those names, along with ex-Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri and Man City assistant coach Mikel Arteta.

Ex-Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is on Arsenal’s three-man shortlist.

It’s thought Pochettino’s close connection with Spurs means it’s unlikely he would take the Arsenal job.

Meanwhile, Allegri, who won five Serie A titles in his time in charge of Juventus, is highly thought of at the Emirates, while Arteta nearly replaced Arsene Wenger before Arsenal opted for Emery.

The former PSG boss is expected to be given time to turn things around, and that starts with a Europa League trip to Frankfurt on Thursday before visiting Norwich City three days later.