Xabi Alonso tipped to join major Liverpool rival if infamous failure happens

Ex-Liverpool star Xabi Alonso has been tipped to join Arsenal if Mikel Arteta's side throws away the Premier League title this season, ahead of a massive week for the Gunners

Xabi Alonso on the touchline in his final match in charge of Real Madrid(Image: Fadel SENNA / AFP via Getty Images)

Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has been tipped to become the next manager of Arsenal if Mikel Arteta doesn't get over the line in either the Premier League or the Champions League this season.

Having lost the League Cup final and then been knocked out of the FA Cup by Southampton, talk about Arsenal potentially winning the quadruple has quickly subsided in recent weeks.

But the Gunners remain in a prime position to secure the league title — nine points clear of Manchester City, albeit having played a game more — and are in a strong position to progress past Sporting CP and into the Champions League semifinals.

Nonetheless, with Arsenal showing some signs of slowing down ahead of the run-in and a huge clash with Manchester City coming up next weekend that could prove decisive, the pressure to get over the line is mounting.

"Alonso’s name will be on the table for Liverpool, but I think he could be the perfect next manager for Arsenal," Pedro Mendes told Thunderpick.

"Of course, there's his past with Liverpool, but Arsenal would surely be a club that would attract him a lot because of all the players they have, the squad they have, and the way Alonso plays.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is under pressure(Image: Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)

"So, I think it would be a perfect fit. Liverpool being his old club may factor into his decision.

"If you put Arsenal and Liverpool on the table, maybe looking at Anfield would sway him. If Liverpool don’t make a [move], I could see him at Arsenal."

Should Arsenal fail to win silverware from this position, it will go down as one of the biggest failures in recent history. This weekend, Arteta's men host Bournemouth in a tricky-looking clash. Andoni Iraola's side has caused plenty of problems for big teams in the past and the Arsenal boss was asked about getting his players to regain focus after a couple of setbacks.

"I think it's a balance," Arteta said. "As I said the other day, it's better to observe first, you know, to see the natural reaction, to see what we are made of, to see what's the first instinct, collective and individually from the players, and then you can intervene based on that.

"But to be fair, they didn't need much because their reaction was top, as I said before. The understanding of why we lost those matches, and how we are going to pull it right, and I think it was a really good reaction against Sporting.

"The closer we get, the relevance and importance of the match increases obviously, and tomorrow is a big day for us. The players know it, our supporters know it, it's an early kick-off, so get up early, have an early breakfast, bring your lunch, bring your dinner, and let's go all together for it because it has to be a big day."

Liverpool.com says: Alonso is clearly a very gifted coach, so he will be in demand. Arteta leaving would be a surprise, but Pep Guardiola might leave Manchester City and the Spaniard won't be short of options.