Bob Wilson believes that Arsene Wenger’s successor as Arsenal could be lurking on the south coast.
Speaking to the Bournemouth Echo the 1971 double winning keeper is convinced that Eddie Howe will be one of the front runners to take over at The Emirates when Wenger eventually stands aside.
Howe was recently linked with the England managers job but is in no rush to quit the day to day demands of club football.
English managers rarely get a look in at the top jobs these days but Wilson believes that Howe’s exploits at Dean Court are being closely followed in north London.
“Arsene has been at Arsenal for 20 years and what he’s done, and the manner in which he’s achieved it, has been remarkable,” Wilson, who worked as a goalkeeping coach for Wenger, said. “Even I sometimes look and think ‘who the hell could replace Arsene’.
“But Eddie would definitely be in the frame. I love the way Bournemouth play. It’s very Arsenal-like, they play in a similar style, so it’s to be hugely admired. The job Eddie has done is extraordinary.”
With Bournemouth sitting comfortably in mid-table after a dozen matches there are no signs of second season syndrome on the south coast.
On Sunday the Arsenal powerbrokers will get the perfect opportunity to assess Howe when he brings his side to the Emirates Stadium to test Arsenal’s nerve after the 2-2 midweek draw with Paris St Germain.