Arsenal have begun the search for a replacement for Unai Emery, despite a split at board level over whether he deserves more time.

The Daily Mail‘s Sami Mokbel reports that Arsenal have started the process of replacing Unai Emery by searching for a long-term successor to the Spaniard.

Mokbel claims the club’s hierarchy are still prepared to give Emery more time, on the whole, but their search has begun all the same, with some of the higher-ups now believing it’s time for a change.

Massimiliano Allegri, Mikel Arteta and Mauricio Pochettino are all named as possible replacements, though Pochettino seems very unlikely to join given his Spurs connection.

The Daily Mail also second the reports about Steve Bould and Freddie Ljungberg being in the frame to take over on a short-term basis if Emery is sacked before the summer, given the difficulties associated with a mid-season change.

In my opinion, that’s a change the club should be looking to make as soon as possible. If they can’t get their preferred long-term candidate in right now, that’s fine, but the players aren’t playing for Emery anymore.

Right now, anyone taking his place would at least show the club being proactive and convince the players there’s a plan to move on. Even if that’s an internal appointment like Ljungberg, the focus will switch back to improving performances rather than when Emery is going to leave.