Ambrosini Exclusive: Time's Up for Pep? Is Sesko the New Zlatan? &…

Published on March 19th, 2026

Speaking exclusively with BOYLE Sports , Italy and AC Milan icon Massimo Ambrosini has offered his perspective on all things the Premier League including if Pep Guardiola could be on his way out of Man City, who's impressed at Man United recently and if Sesko can emulate Zlatan.

Ambrosini has also given his assessment of what Mikel Arteta should be targeting in 2026, argues fans shouldn't care about criticism over style of play, discusses whether they're Champions League favourites and gives his assessment of fellow Italian Riccardo Calafiori.

Time's Up Pep?

I was in Madrid last week. This Man City team doesn't seem to be a typical Pep team. They lack quality, a certain fighting spirit. They have missed too many opportunities to close the gap with Arsenal . I think they need something new to refresh the project.

They need to find a way to get Erling Haaland more involved; he's touching the ball so few times during matches. They constantly play in the final third, but he barely gets a touch. That's why I see them struggling a little. All the other teams have become accustomed to playing against Manchester City right now. That is their biggest problem.

Who Has Impressed?

I love Michael Carrick , man, I love him. I really enjoy watching Manchester United right now. They finally have an offensive mentality, playing with Matheus Cunha on the left, Amad Diallo , and Bryan Mbeumo. I love the way they play; I love that Michael moved Kobbie Mainoo to the middle. A club like Manchester United needs to play a back four. The club's DNA is to play a back four.

Right now, they have happiness and vitality. Manchester United are a good team again. For me, when you look at Chelsea , Aston Villa , and Liverpool , it’s Manchester United that have new energy, and it could help them just to reach the Champions League.

Is Sesko Similar To Zlatan?

Benjamin Sekso is tall, but he loves playing and has good technique. He's comfortable playing with both feet. He's a good guy. Right now, he's a good alternative. I mean, he is not playing because Bryan Mbeumo is another good player. I was watching the game against Aston Villa when Mbeumo was subbed off. He was not very happy, but Michael Carrick knows that even Benjamin Sesko is a good option.

I don't know him, but he seems to be a quiet guy, and he has a lot of qualities. He can shoot with his head; he can shoot with his left and right foot. But if you compare him to Zlatan , I would say, as maybe Zlatan would answer, there's only one Zlatan in the world.

Targets

If you don't win the title for 20 years, I think your first goal should be to win the league, because the Champions League is sometimes even harder. Arsenal right now, for me, deserve to win the title this season for what they've shown over these last eight months. For me, they even have the squad to win the Champions League .

If I were an Arsenal fan, I would pick one, and the Premier League would, of course, be the first choice.

Style of Play

Arsenal fans shouldn’t care less about criticism of their style of play, I'd say their style is effective, pragmatic, of course, but they are not only about set pieces. They are not only about corners. They play football. They have brilliant wingers, including Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli . They have quality in the middle.

Right now, Martin Odegaard is not playing, but he's a very good player. Declan Rice is the best midfielder in the league. Martin Zubimendi is one of the biggest players right now in the Premier League . They have a style, a very precise style. Arteta might not have a style which is easy on the eye, but you don't have to be easy on the eye; you have to win. I don't think they have a bad style of playing, because in the Champions League , they won everywhere playing good football, so I don't agree with that.

Champions League

Of course, Arsenal are on the better side of the draw. With Bayern Munich , they are, of course, one of the favourites right now. In the Champions League , you have to be a little bit lucky. I was in Paris last year when they lost in the semi-final. In the first 10 minutes, Gianluigi Donnarumm a made three incredible saves.

Arsenal were the better team in that game, so they have the opportunity. Right now, they have the opportunity. They will compete again with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus . Right now, they have a lot of options, more than before.

Riccardo Calafiori

Riccardo Calafiori is a strange player. When he is on the pitch, you feel his energy; sometimes, his way of playing is a bit unpredictable. He loves to go to find the right areas for him on the pitch. Maybe he starts from left back, but you find him everywhere, in the middle, near the touch line.

He loves playing in this way. I’ve heard Mikel Arteta talking about him in the same terms, and we like him here in Italy . In Italy , we don't have a lot of players like him, so we are waiting for him to bring this kind of energy to the national team. We need him with Italy , as Arsenal do. He's different from the others, from Jurrien Timber , from Myles Lewis-Skelly ; he's a bit different.