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Who could be heading to Arsenal to replace Wenger?

By on May 4, 2018

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the last few weeks, you’ll be aware of the news that shocked the world of football when Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger announced he’ll be leaving the club at the end of the season after his twenty-two-year reign.

Arsene Wenger’s impact at Arsenal has been nothing short of astonishing during his time at the North London giants. The club have consistently qualified for the Champions League on the whole during his time there, the Gunners have moved to a new stadium which has taken them to lofty heights in terms of facilities, infrastructure and, of course, attendances but, arguably most importantly of all, the Frenchman has instilled a philosophy and way of playing throughout the club – from youth level to the first team, everyone is on the same page.

Of course, recent memories of Wenger are somewhat tarnished, with many Arsenal fans feeling his methods are simply outdated and his tactical approach is perhaps naive at times, but you’ll be hard pressed to find a Gunner who didn’t adore the famous ‘Invincibles’ side – a team, on the large, put together by Wenger and one that went unbeaten for a whole domestic campaign. Without a doubt, that team and the foundations laid from the unit Wenger built, has given the platform for the club’s success moving forward and cements Wenger into Arsenal folklore. Regardless of whether you think the 68-year-old has overstayed his welcome at the club or not, his influence at Arsenal is impossible to ignore.

The contenders 

A number of potential successors to Wenger’s throne have been bandied about, with ex Barcelona boss Luis Enrique’s name cropping up a lot, alongside the likes of current Juventus manager Massimiliano Allergi also in the frame with odds of 11/4 to takeover according to Ladbrokes, closely followed by new contender and one of the favourites, Zeljko Buvac, with Paddy Power offering odds of 6/1 for the Liverpool assistant manager and, arguably a surprise contender, to takeover at Arsenal. Other names worth checking out, and you can check the latest free bets available through betting sites UK, include Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers at 5/1 with Skybet, Carlo Ancelotti priced at 7/1 with a number of bookmakers and, in with an outside chance, Bournemouth’s bright young manager Eddie Howe, who’s rated at 14/1 with Unibet. Other names in the frame include former Arsenal midfielders Mikel Arteta and Patrick Vieira, Germany boss Joachim Lowe, former Dortmund manager Thomas Tuschel and soon to be jobless PSG boss, Unai Emery.

Big void to fill

The new Arsenal manager, whoever he may be, will certainly have a big task on his hands. It’s no secret that a big rebuild is needed at the club. The fans want it, pundits have been calling for it endlessly and, with a fairly forgettable last few years at the club, the owners are surely wanting improvements also. The evident deadwood needs shipping out, with the likes of Cech, Xhaka and Mustafi coming under scrutiny this season and with fans seemingly craving a hero, someone in the mould of Jack Wilshere, the new manager would do himself no harm if he were to come in, add a big name and get the fans back onside moving forward.

Arsenal’s future post- Arsene Wenger is hard to predict but one thing is for sure, the Gunners will struggle to find someone who lived and breathed the club like Arsene did. The club’s hierarchy have to get this appointment right if the club are to reproduce their golden years.