3 managers who can replace Unai Emery at Arsenal 

A 1-2 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt at the Emirates was the last straw for the Arsenal board of directors - Unai Emery has been officially sacked by the club. After almost a season and a half of managing the Gunners, the former Sevilla manager did not live up to the expectations and has been let go.

Arsenal currently sit 8th in the Premier League standings, with eight points separating them and the top 4. They are also more or less assured of their qualification in the next round of the Europa League, so all is not dire at the club. There is still a long way to go this season, and their initial targets can still be met.

However, their recent form (over six games winless) and the attitude of the players leaves much to be desired. The fans are unhappy, and the club is not in the best of positions right now.

The board will be looking for a new manager who can steer the ship and point it in the right direction. Here, we take a look at three managers who the Gunners could sign.

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3. Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta has been training under Pep Guardiola for a while now

When Arsene Wenger initially announced his departure, Mikel Arteta was considered a serious prospect for the job. However, his lack of experience managing a club on his own came in the way, and Arteta himself did not want to take up the job at the time. As a result, Emery was given the nod ahead of him. Now, however, things have changed.

Arteta has been under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola since 2016. The Spaniard is arguably one of the greatest managers of all time, and having him as a mentor is a big deal in the world of football. Both are two peas from the same pod having graduated from the Rinus Michels and Johan Cruyff school of thought - total football.

Arsenal have come under a lot of flak for not having the best of players, but that is not true. The likes of Dani Ceballos and Matteo Guendozi are technically sound players, whereas the attack is brimming with quality players who need a push in the right direction.

Having gained invaluable experience under Guardiola, the former Gunner might feel that it is time for him to take on a project of his own now. He has been the Spaniard's understudy for three years now, and a step-up at this time would be welcome.

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2. Rafael Benitez

Rafael Benitez is still one of the best managers in the game

The veteran Rafael Benitez is currently managing Chinese club Dalian Yifang. Before this, the Spaniard did an excellent job with Newcastle United, whom he led to promotion to the Premier League. Benitez only left Newcastle due to disputes with the owners, and the fans unanimously agree that he was the best thing to happen to their club in a while.

The former Champions League winner is a great fit for Arsenal because of several reasons - he has a wealth of experience in the Premier League, having previously managed Liverpool, Chelsea, and Newcastle United. He is tactically and technically adept, and he focuses on defensive improvement as well as being a tough taskmaster who takes no nonsense from anyone. The last point is something that would help a demotivated Arsenal squad.

The Spaniard’s brand of pragmatic football and defensive solidity would quickly sort out that Arsenal backline which needs some repairing. Aside from that, he can get the best out of that underperforming Arsenal attack.

There is no doubting Benitez's pedigree and he could be the man to stabilise Arsenal.

1. Nuno Espirito Santo

The current Wolves manager is apparently on the top of Arsenal's wishlist

If reports are to be believed, then Nuno Espirito Santo is one of the board's favourites to replace Emery at Arsenal. It is not hard to see why - the Portuguese is a seasoned manager with a distinct style who can come in and ingrain some discipline in a club that needs it at the moment.

The former Porto manager has been in charge of Wolverhampton Wanderers for the past two and a half years, and he has done a splendid job with the club. During his time, the team has gone from the Championship to the Premier League and have already qualified for the Round of 16 of the Europa League.

With Nuno, you have some self-belief and certainty. If there’s certainty in the dugout, then that will transmit to the players, and the results will follow. Nuno's tactics at Wolves bring out the best from his offence while retaining a sense of consistency at the back, and he could bring the same philosophy at Emirates.

Due to his experience in the Premier League and his strong personality, he could be the perfect fit for Arsenal at the moment.