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Why Luis Enrique is not the right manager for Arsenal

By William Dodds

BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 04: Samuel Umtiti of FC Barcelona competes for the ball with Ozil of Arsenal during the Joan Gamper Trophy match between FC Barcelona and Arsenal at Nou Camp on August 04, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 04: Samuel Umtiti of FC Barcelona competes for the ball with Ozil of Arsenal during the Joan Gamper Trophy match between FC Barcelona and Arsenal at Nou Camp on August 04, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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With the future of Arsenal manager Unai Emery in doubt former Barcelona and Spain coach Luis Enrique has been linked with the possible opening.

Following Arsenal’s damaging 2-0 defeat away at Leicester City on Saturday, reports emerged that Arsenal had made contact with Enrique.

Such rumours are not surprising given his availability and Raul Sanllehi’s link to the coach whom he worked with at Barcelona.

Enrique quit as Spain boss in August following the death of his daughter, and while it may be quite soon to return to full-time management, conversations may have been had.

One point that casts some doubt over the story is the fact that Enrique wasn’t on of the names initially up for the role in 2018, as revealed by David Ornstein in The Athletic.

Whether Sanllehi’s growth in stature means he is now able to pursue Enrique, or the additional of Edu has made Enrique a candidate, it is not clear.

Enrique certainly has the name recognition and trophy cabinet to get fans excited and given the anger among fans as a result of Arsenal’s form and performances this season, it isn’t surprising this has emerged.

However, if Arsenal truly want to move away from the conservative, reactive and short-termist style of Emery, Enrique is not the man to take them forward.

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At Barcelona, Enrique came under intense pressure for not dominating smaller teams and sitting back in order to wait for counter attack opportunities.

Barcelona fans had grown used to dominating matches with superior territory and 60-70% possession.

However, under Enrique matches would often be far tighter, with the Blaugrana relying on outstanding attacking talent to win them matches.

For Arsenal fans used to Emery, this sounds eerily similar.

If Arsenal want to progress and be something different to what they are under Emery, they need an identity.

This might mean going for someone with slightly less experienced with less name recognition, but opting for Enrique would be a step in the wrong direction.

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