Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith has revealed that Tottenham beat their North London rivals to the services of Jose Mourinho, who had been touted as a replacement for Unai Emery.
The Gunners sacked Emery on Friday following a winless streak of seven matches but Mourinho is now off the market, having joined Spurs last week following Mauricio Pochettino's dismissal.
After it was put to Smith that Arsenal had missed out on Mourinho to their arch-rivals, he confirmed that it was his understanding that the claim was correct, then going on to explain what sort of manager he'd like to see brought in.
"I had heard that, Tottenham kind of got their act in gear knowing that Arsenal were interested, they managed to tie up Mourinho before their London rivals could do so," he told Sky Sports.
"But listen, it’s a full on job. They’re the biggest club in London in my book, in terms of the history, silverware, they should be able to attract, and I’m sure they can attract, a top manager.
"Allegri has obviously got a tremendous track record with Juventus but do you go for somebody experienced like that, an old head, or somebody a bit younger?
"A young, innovative coach, Mikel Arteta very nearly got the job last time out, I know Guardiola thinks the world of him at the coach at Manchester City.
"There is a world of difference between being a coach and the buck stopping when it’s your decisions, it makes a huge difference, but I’d probably like to see that younger type of coach being brought in.
"People like Julian Nagelsmann at Leipzig, he’s a very talented young man but whether they’d be able to prise him away is another matter but I’d like to see them be a bit more adventurous, a bit more daring than just going for somebody on a tried and tested.
"I’d like them to be bold."
