Jurgen Klopp brings Borussia Dortmund to Arsenal with chance to prove that he should be Arsene Wenger's long-term replacement
- Jurgen Klopp has built a strong reputation in years at Borussia Dortmund
- Arsenal unlikely to sack Arsene Wenger but boss is under pressure
- Dortmund have already qualified for Champions League last 16
- Klopp has expressed a desire to manage in the Premier League
There's something of the Jose Mourinho's about Jurgen Klopp. Charismatic. Charming. Confident.
Like the Special One; a journalist's dream.
His managerial accomplishments, like the Chelsea boss, aren't to be sniffed at either.
VIDEO Scroll down for Jurgen Klopp: Premier League possible after Borussia Dortmund
Jurgen Klopp runs with the ball while coaching his Dortmund side at the Emirate stadium on Tuesday evening
Klopp celebrates as his side score against Arsenal in September, but he may one day be on the other side
Many Arsenal fans see Klopp as the ideal replacement for Arsene Wenger, who is under signficant pressure
Despite Borussia Dortmund's woeful current domestic form, Klopp has turned them into a bona-fide European force.
Tonight, with qualification into the Champions League group stages already secured, Klopp brings his team to Arsenal.
But could he become at regular at the Emirates Stadium in the not too distant future? To be perfectly clear, that potentiality is at least two-and-a-half years away.
Wenger still has two and a half years to run on his Gunners contract, and is unlikely to resign or be sacked
Ciro Immobile scored Dortmund's first goal as they dismantled Arsenal in the first match of the group stage
Dortmund have already qualified for the last 16 of the tournament after winning all four of their games
That's how long Arsene Wenger has left on his current Arsenal contract.
The chances of the Frenchman being sacked are virtually non-existent; so to is the possibility of Wenger walking away (he's been vocal in his views of breaking contracts).
But once the time comes for Wenger to leave north London, then Klopp is already assured a place on Arsenal's shortlist of replacements.
To bill tonight's clash as 'Klopp's Arsenal audition' would be unfair on the German.
His reputation as one of Europe's best young managers is secure, win or lose tonight.
Klopp leads his players in training at the Emirates as he prepares to take on Arsenal on Wednesday night
Former Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa, much-improved since return to Dortmund, warms up
Klopp is a charismatic manager who enjoyed a joke with journalists at his pre-match press conference
But what better way for Klopp to leave a lasting impact on Arsenal's decision makers than to secure victory tonight? The problem Arsenal have, though, is their unwavering loyalty to Wenger could yet see them miss out on Klopp.
He's a wanted man. If Arsenal don't want him now, then there will be clubs all over Europe - big ones - that will.
Klopp admitted on Tuesday that his next move will be all about timing.
He seems determined to put Dortmund back on track in the Bundesliga after a poor start to their domestic season: 'I have unfinished business with Dortmund in this moment.
'This is a really big challenge at the moment. I feel maximum of responsibility for (our league position).
'It is easy to feel responsible for winning games, it is much more difficult to handle this feeling now.' Arsenal will hope he completes his business in around two-and-a-half years.
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