Puel: Cherries boss would be ideal man to replace Wenger

SOUTHAMPTON manager Claude Puel believes Eddie Howe would be the perfect choice to replace his pal Arsene Wenger at Arsenal.

Bournemouth chief Howe has been tipped as a possible successor to Wenger when the Frenchman finally ends his 20-year Gunners reign. Puel played under Wenger at Monaco, and later went on to coach that club himself . He said: “Eddie has the same philosophy as Wenger. “Eddie likes good technical players, like Arsene. If one day he can manage Arsenal, that would be a good choice. “It is always important when a team has a good philosophy to keep this philosophy with the same profile of players. “It is important to keep the same quality, same spirit. It is important to continue this good work.” Puel faces Howe in a southcoast derby for the first time at the Vitality Stadium tomorrow. The former Monaco, Lille, Lyon and Nice coach said: “Some clubs sometimes don’t make good choices, and with a change of manager they also change the philosophy of the team. This is a pity. If Eddie was to manage another club or national team it will be important for Bournemouth to take another manager with the same philosophy also.

“Arsene is in a good place to continue his work for a long time.”

Puel wants to make up for Southampton’s early Europa League exit by leading his side back into Europe next season. He believes the in-form Cherries could be one of the biggest threats to that mission. Puel (above) said: “After the top six it is open for many teams, like Bournemouth. They play good football with good confidence. They have good technical players.” Bournemouth have the smallest stadium in the Premier League with a maximum capacity of less than 12,000 and Puel reckons that

Eddie likes good technical players. If he can manage Arsenal, that would be a good choice

is another hurdle for Saints to overcome. Puel said: “An away game is always difficult.

“It is a little stadium and also the dressing room. I find stadiums vary a great deal in England, with some having very small dressing rooms for opponents.”

Saints are struggling for goals having only scored four times in their last eight Premier League outings.

With star striker Charlie Austin out with a shoulder injury, fellow front-men Nathan Redmond, Shane Long and Jay Rodriguez have netted just five times between them in 53 hours of football. But Puel believes that Bournemouth’s attacking approach may help his side end their baron run.

Puel said: “The two clubs, the two teams try to play football.

“Bournemouth try to play and try to attack. That means there will be a possibility for us to have more space. It should be a good game to play.

“We know this fixture is important for the fans.

“There are only 20 miles between the two cities. All this gives a good intensity and a good atmosphere for this game.

“We have played 25 competitive games this season and more for the international players. We are in the top 10 teams in Europe for the number of minutes played.

“We need more goals, but now we are not playing every three days we have a chance to work on that on the training ground.”

Saints will be without England Under-21 left-back Matt Targett who faces four months out after undergoing surgery on a hamstring injury.