Gunners-mad former Premier League striker Darren Bent admits he would accept Brentford boss Thomas Frank as a replacement for Mikel Arteta if the Spaniard walked away from the Emirates Stadium, speaking to talkSPORT (7 March, 4pm).
It almost feels as if Brentford are playing ‘what’s the time mister wolf?’ with the Premier League.
The Bees continue to sneak their way into European contention, step by step; Monday’s thrilling 3-2 London derby victory over fellow high-flyers Fulham meaning there are now just three points separating Brentford from Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United.
It has almost gone under the radar just how impressive Brentford have been under Frank, promoted to the top job after working as an assistant under Dean Smith in West London. And, while Graham Potter’s well-publicised struggles at Chelsea may put the Premier League’s big-hitters off another promising, up-and-coming coach working his magic at an overachieving side, Bent is convinced that Frank has the ‘credentials’ to make the ‘next step’.
Could Thomas Frank become Arsenal manager one day?
“Thomas Frank, it is up to him when he wants to take that next step him,” says the former Tottenham, Sunderland and Aston Villa striker.
“Frank, Roberto de Zerbi (of Brighton), Marco Silva (of Fulham); maybe these guys want to wait until they are absolutely ready.
“Being at a club punching above it’s weight rather than one expecting to win titles and qualify for the Champions League every season (is very different). Some people crumble
“It’s a risk for a club. But, for Frank, of course he is going to want to do this. No disrespect to Brentford but there are bigger clubs.”
When pressed further on whether the Gunners-supporting pundit would take Frank at Arsenal – in the purely hypothetical scenario that Arteta loses his job for whatever reason – Bent admits he would welcome the 49-year-old Dane with open arms.
“Yeah I would. Yeah. How can you say no?,” he adds.
“The step up is huge, so it’s a slight risk. But it looks like he’s got all the credentials. The job he is doing is brilliant.”
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