Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith says that football agents are pushing for former Juventus manager Max Allegri to take over from Mikel Arteta at the Emirates.

The Gunners boss is under huge pressure after his side slipped to 15th in the table after the midweek draw against Southampton and Smith claims that those outside of the club want Arteta replaced in the dugout with the Italian:

“It’s an open secret among football agents that Max Allegri, the Italian coach who enjoyed great success at Juventus, is being recommended as Arsenal’s next manager.”

“Not by the club I should stress, but by outside forces who want to capitalise on a difficult moment for the young manager. They seem to think Allegri would stand more of a chance, what with his years of experience in Serie A.”

Allegri has won seven Serie A titles, one with AC Milan and six with Juventus, but he has been out of work for 18 months since leaving Juve at the end of the 2018/19 season.

Considering his pedigree, there would be many supporters who would want the 53-year-old to take the reins from the inexperienced Arteta but, at the moment, the Spaniard has the full backing of the club’s board.

Whether they will continue to back him if results don’t pick up over the coming weeks, we shall have to wait and see.