‘He has a lot to offer’ – Arteta rules out January exit for Jesus
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The Madrid manager arrived in the Spanish capital to much fanfare, but after a run of just two wins in seven matches since the return from the international break, speculation has begun about who could replace him at the Bernabeu.
As a result, Arteta is likely to be sought after by the very biggest clubs in world football.
Laurens feels that Arteta and Alonso are too similar for that switch to take place now, but he can envisage a future where the Gunners boss is in the dugout of some of the other clubs he played for in the past.
Asked by Andy Goldstein on TNT Sports’ Friday Night Live if Arteta would be in the conversation for the role at Madrid, Laurens replied: “I would say yes, for the level that he is at.
“But then you are taking the same profile of manager as Xabi Alonso, who you have sacked because it was not working.
“I think if they sack Alonso, it is to go in a completely different direction, more towards the Carlo Ancelotti kind of profile, which is not Mikel (Arteta). Mikel is like Xabi Alonso.
“They are twins when you think about structure, organisation, all of that kind of stuff in that sense.
“So, I think if he ever leaves Arsenal, he would be on the radar of top clubs like Barcelona, for example, where he obviously played before, like a PSG where he played before as well.
“I think he is that good and he will win trophies at some point. I don’t know if it will be this season with Arsenal or later but I think he is that good.”
Arsenal have finished second in each of the last three seasons in the Premier League and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League last season for the first time since 2009.
After a successful summer window, which saw Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, Cristhian Mosquera, Christian Norgaard, Martin Zubimendi, Piero Hincapie and Kepa Arrizabalaga arrive at the Emirates, The Gunners have impressed throughout the campaign.
A barrage of injuries has seen their lead at the top of the Premier League fade, and Laurens is convinced that is the only thing that can stop them from winning the title.
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When asked if he was surprised about Arsenal’s title charge, he added: “Personally I am not, you have seen the progress, especially in the last three years.
“I know they came close in the league and second is not good enough, I get that, but you have seen how he has developed players individually, how collectively this team has gone to this level, to reach this level, because they are a machine.
“What he wants of them and sometimes he is maybe even a little bit too demanding I think in what he wants from them on a daily, hourly basis.
“But he is that kind of manager, he just has his eyes on everything of what they do at the training ground, in games.
“I think the only thing that can stop them is injuries, again, which is the same for everyone, not just Arsenal.
“But because they have a bit of history there, from the last few seasons and from the start of this season, I think that is the only thing for me that could derail that machine.”
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