Former Arsenal and Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant believes Unai Emery’s days in North London are numbered and for his replacement the Gunners need not look very far.

“I don’t know if the players have lost faith or it’s the noise surrounding whether he should stay or go, but seeing the team selections and what is happening with Xhaka and the performances on the pitch I don’t think even the players know what their best formation is.

The prospect of Mauricio Pochettino inhabiting the Emirates dug-out anytime soon is one that fills all Tottenham supporters with a deep dread and brings with it all manner of Shakespearean themes, namely that of betrayal. Pennant insists however that loyalty cuts both ways.

“At the end of the day he didn’t ask to leave. He got sacked by Spurs so he’s got every right if he wants to stay in North London where his family has probably settled. Arsenal is a big club and bigger than Tottenham as a whole.

Poch has said his goodbyes and he has shown how much he cares about Spurs but if Arsenal come calling it’s Spurs who are the ones who have missed out for sacking him. I don’t think there would be any disrespect. It’s a job and we all have to work.”

We do, and it could be argued that if the Gunners stars had worked that bit harder this season the contentious switch across town wouldn’t even be a possibility. Pennant clearly agrees.

“The players have got to look at themselves because there is only so much that the manager can do. He can give instructions and pick the team but he can’t pass the ball for you. And some of the goals they are conceding are not due to the manager.

"That comes down to application. That comes down to knowing how to defend properly. It’s the fundamentals like seeing the correct pass and knowing where to be and where not to be. That’s down to the players.

If it’s all doom and gloom at the Emirates right now the very opposite applies two hundred miles north at Anfield where Jurgen Klopp’s Reds are positively flying.

A third of the way through the Premier League campaign and Liverpool are not only unbeaten but presently look unbeatable and with Pennant having been involved in Arsenals incredible ‘Invincibles’ season of 2004/05 does he believe an unlikely repeated history might be on the cards?

“For Liverpool to only lose once last season and not win the league; that was unheard of and will never be replicated again. This season they are more prepared and have more experience of being in that situation and that is showing through now.

"They’re picking up late goals where last season they were holding out for the draw. They’re learning from past experience. They are better equipped this season to go unbeaten and have all the fundamentals there to go one better than last season.”

Their tremendous run of course can largely be attributed to possessing a formidable and ferocious front three with Firmino a one-man force of nature and Mo Salah petrifying defences for fun.

Yet this term the Egyptian – for all of his magic – has not taken top billing as Sadio Mane continues the blistering impact that recently saw him nominated for the Ballon d’Or.

“You have to go on form and although Salah has been top goal-scorer for the past two seasons, Mane has started off on fire, not just with goals but assists.

"His work-rate is phenomenal and that shows what kind of character he is: when you’re the top goal-scorer and you work as hard as he does that speaks volumes in itself.

A speedy and tricky wide-man Pennant spent three years on Merseyside, putting in a star turn in the 2007 Champions League final and exciting the Kop on a weekly basis for good measure.

A decade on though the 36-year-old suspects his services would not be needed, with Trent Alexander-Arnold dominating the right flank all by himself.

“He is the perfect modern full-back and what helps is that Liverpool play with a formation where they don’t have to play with wingers. They compact that midfield and when Trent goes forward he has the ability of a winger who puts the balls in, like I used to do.

"He is basically doing my job while also defending. They have only conceded 11 goals so he can defend while also going forward. If you look at all the great teams now their full-backs are like Trent.”

Another stand-out performer in a stand-out campaign so far for Liverpool is their Brazilian holding midfielder Fabinho who has overcome a mixed opening year in England to become an integral figure in the Reds’ title march.

Just how highly does Pennant rate a player who is fast making exceptional displays the norm?

“Fabinho is definitely in the top three in the world along with Kante and Frenkie De Jong at Barcelona.

"At such a young age for De Jong to come into Barcelona and boss that midfield speaks volumes and we saw last season with Ajax against Tottenham how he controlled the midfield then. He is remarkable.

"So I wouldn’t say Fabinho is the best in the world but if he keeps improving his value will keep soaring.

Which leaves us only with the boss; the man who has orchestrated the rise and rise of a club that is once again perched at the top after many years in the relative wilderness.

Would winning the Premier League see Jurgen Klopp stand shoulder to shoulder with the great managers who have come before him?

“He would definitely be up there. Liverpool have never won the Premier League so that in itself would boost his credentials right near the top. You can’t take away what previous managers have done for the club and the history they have created.

"Shankly put Liverpool on the map and made them the massive club they are. But Jurgen has taken them to two Champions League finals and won one. He finished runners-up in the league and now potentially could win it this season.

"So without a shadow of a doubt that would put him in the hall of fame of managers for Liverpool.”

Like every supporter Pennant is at pains to stress that nothing has been won at this stage and there is still a long way to go.

But with Liverpool currently boasting an eight point lead and having not yet even hit top form maybe it’s fair to imagine what the celebrations will be like in May should they go all the way.

“It would be absolutely huge. Massive. I know that winning the Champions League was a great moment for the city but winning the league would be that little bit more special. They are much looking forward to it and now it just has to come true."

Jermaine Pennant's Quickfire Questions:

Who Will Win The Premier League?

Liverpool.

Who Will Win The Golden Boot?

Jamie Vardy.

Who Will Win The Champions League?

Liverpool.

Liverpool vs Brighton - Prediction?

3-1.

First Goal Scorer Will Be...

Sadio Mane.

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP Photo*

As it begins its 43^rd edition, we are taking a look at some UK Championships history.

The most successful players since the tournament started in 1977 include some of the greatest to play the game – the best UK Championship finals rank among the best matches ever.

It hasn’t always been the sports betting favourite that has held the trophy aloft, however.

While the top three of this list are all in the discussion for the greatest snooker player of all-time, less high profile names have enjoyed success at the UK Championship too.

Ronnie O'Sullivan - 7 Titles

The two-time reigning champion, Ronnie O’Sullivan has dominated the UK Championships in recent years.

Three of O’Sullivan’s seven titles have come in the last five events as he’s set the record for most Triple Crown wins with 19 (winning five World Championships and seven Masters to go with his seven UK wins).

No other player has got close to 1,000 career century breaks. O’Sullivan is the most gifted player ever, a phenomenal potter and thrilling break builder.

At his best, he sweeps any opponent aside and we’ve some of O’Sullivan’s finest form at the UK Championships over the years.

O’Sullivan has made the UK Championship final on eight occasions – his only loss came to Mark Selby in 2016, and he was involved in one of the most dramatic finals against Judd Trump in 2014.

Steve Davis - 6 Titles

Although he’s been pipped by O’Sullivan to top spot, Steve Davis still holds the record for the most finals appearances at the UK Championship.

Davis made it to the final on 10 separate occasions, his most recent coming in 2005 and first being in 1980. That fact alone is a great testament to Davis’ longevity.

Only Stephen Hendry and O’Sullivan won more Triple Crown events than Davis. Across his 38 professional seasons in snooker, he accumulated records that have secured his place in the sport’s history books.

The UK Championships played a major part in Davis becoming the unstoppable force he was during the 1980s – his victory over Alex Higgins in the 1980 final was a breakthrough on the biggest stage.

Stephen Hendry - 5 Titles

The youngest ever World Champion and record holder for most seasons at number one, Stephen Hendry’s five UK Championships are no more than a footnote on his extraordinary CV.

O’Sullivan is the only player ever to accumulate more Triple Crown titles than Hendry, but the Scot is the only player ever to win all three Triple Crown events in a season on two separate occasions.

Hendry called it a day after his 27^th straight World Championship in 2012, 16 years after his fifth and final UK title. He appeared in three further finals, however, losing to O’Sullivan in 1997, Matthew Stevens in 2003 and Peter Ebdon in 2006.

John Higgins - 3 Titles

Ranked third all-time with over 750 century breaks in professional play, John Higgins – like the three above him here – is one of the most successful players ever.

Before winning his first UK title in 2000, Higgins suffered a painful deciding frame loss to Stephen Hendry in 1996. He’s gone on to appear in a further four finals since that disappointment to Hendry, winning three of them.

Higgins featured in another of the classics in 2010, again heading into a deciding frame.

Mark Williams was his opponent this time round, however, and Higgins came out on top to notch his second UK title a decade after defeating Williams for his first and a year after losing to Ding Junhui in the final.

Doug Mountjoy - 2 Titles

Welshman Doug Mountjoy won the second UK Championship back in 1978, defeating David Taylor 15-9 in Preston.

Arguably the greatest achievement of Mountjoy’s career came in the UK Championship in 1988, 10 years after his first victory. He defeated Hendry in a 16-12 epic to record his first ranking win.

Ding Junhui - 2 Titles

A snooker sensation as a teenager, Ding Junhui became the first player from outside Great Britain and Ireland to win the UK Championship when he defeated six-time champion Davis in 2005.

Also the first Asian player to be ranked world number one, Ding won his second UK title in 2009, beating Higgins in Telford.

Neil Robertson - 2 Titles

It’s two finals and two titles for Neil Robertson, who was UK champion in 2013 and 2015, defeating Mark Selby and Liang Wenbo respectively.

Robertson joins Ding as one of the best players from outside the United Kingdom in the history of the sport and is the only Australian to have won a ranking event (Robertson has won 16).

Mark Selby - 2 Titles

Most recently champion in 2016, Mark Selby has been the most successful player in snooker in the 2010s. A fixture at number one for much of the decade, the Jester from Leicester has compiled 16 ranking wins including three World Championships.

The final loss to Robertson in 2013 came just months after defeat to the same opponent at the China Open.

Mark Williams - 2 Titles

Mark Williams appeared in back-to-back UK Championship finals in 1999 and 2000, getting the better of Matthew Stevens in ’99 and losing to Higgins in 2000. An epic against Ken Doherty followed in 2002, with Williams arguably the best player in the sport.

He defeated the Irishman in a deciding frame, and had to wait until 2010 to return to the final. Another all-time classic followed, but this time Williams wasn’t celebrating as Higgins snatched victory 10-9.

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Elizabeth Dalziel / AP Photo*