Arsenal held secret talks with Mauricio Pochettino as surprise shortlist before hiring Mikel Arteta revealed

In a parallel universe, it is not Mikel Arteta in charge of Arsenal. Instead, it’s Mauricio Pochettino . As part of a new book charting Arsenal’s journey to becoming Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years, the Telegraph’s Sam Dean revealed Pochettino was among several candidates who the Gunners spoke with following Unai Emery’s sacking in November 2019. How close did Mauricio Pochettino come to joining Arsenal? Pochettino was, at the time, available as he’d been axed by Tottenham only 10 days before Emery’s departure. According to Dean, Arsenal held ‘serious conversations’ with Pochettino, who ‘showed willingness to engage’ with the Gunners. Had such an appointment transpired, it would have taken the iconic north London rivalry to a different stratosphere. No player has moved from Arsenal to Spurs or vice-versa since William Gallas in 2010. Before Gallas, the last high-profile move involving the two clubs was Sol Campbell, who left Tottenham to join Arsenal in 2001. The scarcity of moves between Arsenal and Spurs in the following years underlines the deep roots of the rivalry, which is why Pochettino being appointed the new Gunners boss would have sent shockwaves through football. Pochettino was far from the only intriguing name on Arsenal’s shortlist following Emery’s departure. Who else was on Arsenal’s list to replace Unai Emery? It is claimed Gunners great Patrick Vieira had admirers at the Emirates thanks to his work at Ligue 1 side Nice. Roberto Martinez , who was in charge of Belgium at the time, was another and even ‘advanced a long way in the process’. Also on the list was ex-Nottingham Forest and Wolves boss Vitor Pereira. Other managers eyed by the Gunners included Carlo Ancelotti , Julian Nagelsmann and Massimiliano Allegri. Despite the vast managerial backgrounds of all the candidates, especially the trophy-laden CVs of Ancelotti and Allegri, then-Arsenal technical director Edu boldly handed the reins to Arteta. The Spaniard had only worked as an assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City prior to his appointment, making it a risky roll of the dice from Arsenal. Luckily for the Gunners, the decision has proved to be a masterstroke. Arteta won the FA Cup in his first season at the helm and helped the Gunners end their 22-year wait for a Premier League title last season, having finished runners-up in the three campaigns prior. And the Spaniard won’t be leaving the Emirates any time soon having inked a bumper new deal to remain as Arsenal boss until 2030.