Steve Bould Who?

MONTPELLIER, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 18: Steve Bould of Arsenal looks on before the UEFA Champions League match between Montpellier Herault SC and Arsenal at Stade de la Mosson on September 18, 2012 in Montpellier, France.

The moment Pat Rice bid goodbye, a void was felt in the Arsenal camp. The man who called the shots behind the scenes was retiring at the place he loved and served so well for 44 years, and hardly an eye stayed dry. But after the sadness came the worry. Who could possibly replace the pillar of strength and tactics at the Emirates?

Background

Stephen Andrew “Steve” Bould, was to be the answer of that particular question. A burly center-back at one time, Bould has served the Arsenal as a player and a youth coach. A part of the famous back four, he joined the Arsenal in 1988, to play alongside Tony Adams, Nigel Winterburn and Lee Dixon. He helped his team win the first division title consecutively in 1989 and 1990, including the heart-stopping match against Liverpool where goal difference won the Gunners the coveted title. Bould was also a part of the down and out Arsenal after 1994, but with Arsene Wenger’s appointment, hope emerged. Then, Bould saw Martin Keown take his spot, and not content with playing second fiddle, the defender led by example and guided the team to a double with the Premier League and the FA Cup. In his final season with the Gunners, not much came the team’s way, and Bould headed to Sunderland to play the last games of his playing career. He had represented Stoke City, Torquay United, Arsenal and Sunderland in his career, in that order.

MONTPELLIER, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 18: Steve Bould of Arsenal smiles during the UEFA Champions League match between Montpellier Herault SC and Arsenal at Stade de la Mosson on September 18, 2012 in Montpellier, France.

During his coaching excursion, he was working for his UEFA Coaching badges, when a move back to the Gunners saw him take charge of the youth squads. The Under 18 Arsenal Academy side profited from his presence when they substantiated their proficiency by winning the Premier Academy League 2008-2009, 2009-2010 and FA Youth Cup in 2008-2009.

Assistant Manager

In May this year, Steve Bould was announced as the replacement for Rice, and took the number two position in the locker room. After the first three games, fans began to realise that the Gunners’ defence was strong and fool-proof. No goals were conceded, till Szcznesy couldn’t keep one out against Southampton, but this, considering the defense which leaked goals last season was a revelation. In spite of a lack of bench strength and the immaturity of youth, the defense was able to repel attack after attack. With a world class defender calling the shots, the side risks being too single minded, and if we were add the lack of attacking sentiment, we have a problem.

Sure enough, Arsenal turned on the heat at Southampton, but judging so soon can only be enough once we include the City affair lined up for the weekend.

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 18: Arsenal assistant manager Steve Bould prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Sunderland at Emirates Stadium on August 18, 2012 in London, England.

Reports suggest Steve Bould could be the next in line for the helm at the Emirates, and Wenger is yet to renew his contract scheduled to end in 2014. Even former Captain and Arsenal elite Patrick Viera, has come forward to tip Bould as the next man in charge. If Arsenal do manage to end the seven-year drought, their second-in-command may just have a shot at doing what Pat Rice didn’t.