If Ole is at the wheel for Manchester United, why isn’t Patrick navigating Arsenal through the post-Arsene Wenger era? Or Thierry, for that matter?
It is the dream scenario for any chief executive — a former player returns to lead the club to glory.
It means more, certainly to supporters, when one of your own is in charge.
Surely the likes of Patrick Vieira or Thierry Henry would benefit Arsenal in a coaching capacity
Sometimes, of course, it goes horribly wrong. But sometimes —as Manchester United are proving — it can go spectacularly right.
No one gave Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a hope of landing the Old Trafford job on a full-time basis when he was appointed interim manager following Jose Mourinho’s dismissal in December.
Fast forward three months and the Norwegian is on the verge of being handed the reins permanently.
Why? Because he gets it. He gets Manchester United.
With 10 major medals — including that unforgettable Treble in 1999 — Solskjaer risked his legendary status for a crack at the biggest job of all. The gamble has paid off massively.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gets Manchester United and has helped to revitalise them
So, as Arsenal and United prepare to meet at the Emirates on Sunday in a seismic clash that will go a long way to deciding which of the clubs will finish in the top four, it begs the question — why do Arsenal appear so reluctant to integrate members of their famous Invincibles squad into the current footballing operation? Players who get Arsenal. Players who have tasted success at the club.
Goalkeeper Jens Lehmann had a spell as first-team coach under Arsene Wenger but he lasted just 12 months, leaving with the Frenchman at the end of last season. And Freddie Ljungberg is Under 23’s coach but has no direct involvement within the senior set-up.
Surely the likes of Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry or Dennis Bergkamp would add priceless value to a club that has been struggling with mediocrity in recent years.
These former players know how to win trophies with Arsenal. They know the standards required because they set the standard.
For Sunday's game, Solskjaer knows exactly what the fixture represents. Arsenal manager Unai Emery is not quite as well versed. Arsenal’s Invincibles propelled the club to new heights — higher than Wenger could have imagined when he took over in 1996.
Dennis Bergkamp is another former Arsenal great who could add value to the club
Yet there was always a hesitancy from Wenger to recall his players to Arsenal
