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Nathan Bliss

Champions League return, FA Cup glory: We simulated Arsenal's 2019 season with Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has been linked with a return to the Premier League, with the pressure mounting on Unai Emery at Arsenal.

The former Chelsea and Manchester United boss has a managerial record in his sights, with no other manager winning major honours at three different English clubs.

And with increased scrutiny on Emery in north London, Mourinho's name is once again being mentioned as a potential successor to the Spaniard should his time at Arsenal come to an abrupt end.

The idea of Mourinho taking over has got some Arsenal fans talking, with the former Chelsea boss not in management at the moment, having been working as a pundit for different TV companies since leaving Manchester United in December last year.

But how would he fare in north London? And what would Mourinho REALLY do with Arsenal's front three?

We used Football Manager 2019 to have a bit of fun and try to predict Arsenal's season with Jose Mourinho in charge.

Jose Mourinho as Arsenal manager

Here is Jose Mourinho's profile on Football Manager 2019.

(Football Manager 2019)

To set up this simulation, we used a fan made editor file to sort out all the latest player transfers, manager changes, promotions, relegations, cup winners and play-off winners, to make the game as realistic as possible.

The only thing that wasn't accurate is the fixture list, which is different to the 2019/20 season schedule already confirmed by the Premier League.

We then loaded up the Football Manager editor, sacked Unai Emery as Arsenal manager and brought in Jose Mourinho as his replacement.

(Football Manager 2019)

Interestingly, the first thing Mourinho did was insist on the sacking of director of football Raul Sanllehi, as he wanted to be in control of all transfers. He's not messing around.

(Football Manager 2019)

So, what would Mourinho REALLY do with the Gunners front three?

Here's what happened.

Arsenal's front three stats in 2019/20

Alexandre Lacazette

(Football Manager 2019)

Appearances: 54

Goals: 26

Assists:10

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

(Football Manager 2019)

Appearances: 56

Goals: 21

Assists: 7

Nicolas Pepe

(Football Manager 2019)

Appearances: 42

Goals: 17

Assists: 12

Between the Gunners front three, they directly contributed towards 93 goals throughout the season, including 64 goals and 29 assists between them.

Lacazette contributed the most, with 26 goals and 10 assists in all competitions, with Aubameyang and Pepe not far behind.

Arsenal's memorable performances in 2019/20

 

Arsenal 2-1 Tottenham

(Football Manager 2019)

 

According to Football Manager 2019, Arsenal would have won the north London derby with Mourinho in charge, with Aubameyang scoring a dramatic late wnner.

Arsenal 3-0 Man City

(Football Manager 2019)

 

Mourinho's Arsenal also got an outstanding victory against Manchester City, with Torreira, Ozil and Lacazette scoring in a 3-0 victory.

 

Arsenal 2-1 Man United

(Football Manager 2019)

The Gunners also beat Mourinho's old side Manchester United, ironically, with youngsters Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith-Rowe both scoring.

Chelsea 0-2 Arsenal

(Football Manager 2019)

Mourinho also beat his other former club Chelsea, with Ozil scoring twice in a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge.

Arsenal's best XI in 2019/20

(Football Manager 2019)

This is the lineup that performed best for Mourinho, as the Portuguese manager took his own advice, playing a number 10 in Ozil, behind Alexandre Lacazette, in order to link the front three.

It was interesting that Ozil was a key player for Mourinho in the 2019/20 season, with Torreira and Ceballos providing the legs and brains in midfield to cover for the German in the defensive phase.

Arsenal's Premier League performance in 2019/20

 

Goals scored

(Football Manager 2019)

Only Manchester City scored more goals than Arsenal under Mourinho in 2019/20.

Goals conceded

(Football Manager 2019)

Interestingly however, Mourinho's side didn't have a brilliant defensive record, conceding 11 goals more than the best side Liverpool.

But, the 38 goals conceded is 13 less than Emery's side conceded in 2018/19, so it's still a big improvement.

Arsenal 2-2 Crystal Palace: Unai Emery press conference in full

Clean sheets

(Football Manager 2019)

Only Alisson and Pickford earned more clean sheets than Bernd Leno in 2019/20.

Average possession

(Football Manager 2019)

In terms of possession, Arsenal were the fourth best side in terms of keeping the ball, averaging 55 per cent possession, with only Spurs, Liverpool and Man City averaging more.

 

Arsenal's individual player stats in 2019/20

(Football Manager 2019)

Here are the top goalscorers for Arsenal in 2019/20.

Interestingly, some of the best Arsenal youngsters flourished under Mourinho, with Reiss Nelson (44 apps), Emile Smith-Rowe (33 apps), Gabriel Martinelli (13 apps), Joe Willock (7 apps), Ainsley Maitland-Niles (13 apps), even Mavropanos (13 apps) getting significant game time.

Not surprisingly, Lacazette, Aubameyang and Pepe were the club's best in front of goal.

Premier League top goalscorers

(Football Manager 2019)

Both Lacazette and Aubameyang featured in the Premier League's top goalscorers list, such was Arsenal's attacking prowess.

Premier League top assists

(Football Manager 2019)

In addition, both Pepe and Ozil featured in the top assists list.

Top performers overall

(Football Manager 2019)

Overall, Nicolas Pepe had the highest overall rating (7.40), followed by Kieran Tierney (7.38), Mesut Ozil (7.37), Lacazette (7.33) and Aubameyang (7.29).

Arsenal's Premier League finish in 2019/20

(Football Manager 2019)

This all led to an outstanding second place Premier League finish in 2019/20, with Mourinho helping the Gunners to finish above Manchester City and just two points behind champions Liverpool.

Arsenal's cup results in 2019/20

(Football Manager 2019)

Mourinho came so close to some European silverware in 2019/20, losing in the Europa League semi-final 4-0 to Manchester United.

However, he did predictably win some silverware in his first season.

(Football Manager 2019)

Arsenal also lifted the FA Cup, beating Manchester City 2-0 in the final.

So, there you go.

A second-placed finish in the Premier League, an FA Cup triumph, a superb goal scoring record and plenty of game time for young players.

Not a bad season...

         
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