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For over 20 years, when all other Premier League clubs saw managers going in and out every season, Arsenal did not yet chang their manager. During his tenure, Arsenal have reached UEFA Champions League for the last 21 years. At the end of last season, Wenger's team saw that historical feat come to an end after they failed to make it into the top four of the Premier League. For the second year running, Arsenal looks unlikely to make it through, with their only hope left by winning the Europa League.
In Wenger's glamorous days, he led Arsenal to win the Premier League trophy, producing the Invincibles run in the 2003/04 season. Fast forward 10 years, the club's standards have visibly dropped. Many disgruntled fans are calling for Wenger to be sacked as they see no future for the club under the Frenchman, who should have left a while ago.
However, if Wenger were to leave in the near future, who will be the man to replace him at the Emirates? Will that man be able to live up to the expectations set for him?
On that note, here is a look at 5 contenders being named by the media, and the issues that are bound to accompany them:
#5 Massimiliano Allegri
The Italian coach has been coaching Juventus since 2014. Allegri has led the Serie A leaders to the Champions League final and a great deal of other silverware. This is exactly what Arsenal fans desire.
Emirates' die-hards have been longing to see the team get their hands on the Premier League trophy. His prolific accomplishments at Juventus has certainly caught the eye of Arsenal fans who desperately want him to replace Wenger.
Most recently, Allegri pulled a tactical masterclass against Tottenham Hotspur, forcing the latter out of the UEFA Champions League competition. As a result, he has won the hearts of many fans at the Emirates who believe that he is the right man to replace Arsene Wenger.
Although he will be a new face in the Premier League if he were to join Arsenal, his performance at Juventus has adequately prepared him for the possible challenges which he might have to face in the Premier League.
Allegri had been linked to the job of Arsenal's manager before Wenger confirmed that he signed a new two-year deal last summer. As such, there is a high possibility that the owners of Arsenal FC are not giving up that easily on getting him to replace Wenger.
Something similar he shares with Wenger is that both enjoy using a back four. If Allegri can build a squad around the current players and get a few reinforcements, he will certainly do a great job for the Gunners.
Allegri has been known to be a daring and determined person. Too often, Arsenal finds their manager not taking the risk to make a tactical shift or changes to the team. The Italian plays a 4-2-3-1 system at Juventus which suits Arsenal perfectly.
The strength of this formation comes from the midfield. With the attacking force at Arsenal strengthened, if Allegri were to arrive, he would look to provide more support in the Arsenal midfield.
#4 Carlo Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti was sacked in September 2017 by Bayern Munich. That was after a poor run of results and it was widely reported that the players were unhappy with their manager.
Despite that blemish on his report book, the Italian is regarded as one of the best managers in the world. He remains the only manager to have won three UEFA Champions League trophies and reached four finals of the competition. If Arsenal are looking for a manager who specialises in European matches, the board should certainly consider him.
Turning 59 years old this year, he has experience in almost all the leagues in Europe and is not foreign to the Premier League. In 2009, Ancelotti was named Chelsea's new manager. In his first season, he led Chelsea to the Premier League title. His other season was less spectacular as he was sacked despite bringing Chelsea to second in the table standings.
Comparing his win percentage against other managers, his record is the third-highest in the league, behind Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Fergurson. Over his last six managerial stints, his win percentage has never dropped below 55%, and Arsenal needs a manager who can lead the team to win every single match and ensures that the team does not drop points easily.
Currently a free manager, his style seems to be unpopular around the football world. While managing Bayern Munich, discipline among players appear to be lacking and practice sessions were often short and sweet as compared to others. This has not been Arsenal's style all along.
Ancelotti is not a man who will bring great changes to the team he has received as seen from the case of Bayern Munich. That will disappoint many Arsenal fans who are desperate to see changes brought to the team.
In addition, the Italian rarely changes his tactics and involves the youth in the side. On the contrary, It has long been Wenger's style to spot youth talent and bring them into the Arsenal team. Giving opportunities to youngsters is a way to groom the future generation and inject energy into the team.
Considering his managerial style, there is great doubt Ancelotti will replace Wenger. However, he still remains a potential candidate.
#3 Luis Enrique
The former Barcelona coach has been seen as a possible candidate for the role of a manager at either Chelsea or Arsenal. Chelsea's board has not been too happy with Antonio Conte's performance this season, and may also want to sign Enrique as a replacement.
It has now been widely reported that the Spain international has stalled talks with Chelsea in a bid to join Arsenal instead. While he may be keen to join the Gunners, the Arsenal fans were not that happy when they heard the news.
His most unforgettable contribution to Barcelona was leading them to a UEFA Champions League comeback against Paris Saint-German. When all hope seemed lost for Barca, Enrique pulled a 6-1 thriller at Camp Nou for Barcelona to advance to the next round.
He was successful in building the Camp Nou fortress, a key inspiration that Arsenal need. Arsenal need to have confidence in all the matches played at home, regardless of their opponents. By accomplishing that feat, Arsenal can then challenge for the title.
Over the three years at Barcelona, it has been seen that Enrique is a fan of utilising the full-backs and wingers in his team.
Wenger has built the Arsenal team around central attacking midfielders such as Mesut Ozil and Jack Wilshere. Although Hector Bellerin and Nacho Monreal serve as good full-backs, their influence in the game is not as significant at the midfielders.
If Arsenal were to employ Enrique, it will mean that a huge change for the team is destined. The Gunners may not be ready for such a huge change which will take some time to get used to and be implemented to its full effectiveness.
Arsenal can expect to welcome new full-backs and wingers into the team if Enrique arrives and the board may not be that receptive to the change. That said, there's no arguing that Enrique is still a candidate.
#4 Joachim Low
The German national team has prospered under Low over the years and they have clinched multiple silverware. Boasting a win rate of close to 68% involving the national team, Low has certainly proven to the world that he is one of the most capable managers.
However, a worry fans will have is his performance while managing clubs. The statistics are not that amazing as he had won close to just 54% of the matches for which he has been in-charge at clubs.
Arsenal have been eyeing him for a period of time, but given that he will be with the national team for the upcoming 2018 World Cup, it makes preparations and discussions hard to take place.
Should Wenger decide to leave before his contract ends, Arsenal need to find a manager who understands the club well and be ready to take over immediately, without any drop in standards.
With the commitments that he has in the World Cup and his contract lasting until 2020, it will be difficult for Arsenal to get their hands on him.
The German squad has talented players in every role whilst for Arsenal, they need to improve the standard of their defenders and goalkeeper, and should Arsenal employ Low, he could use his connections and understanding of the German team to sign some brilliant defenders for the Gunners.
#5 Mikel Arteta
The former Arsenal captain is coming into the spotlight as a possible replacement for Arsene Wenger. He is said to be doing well under Pep Guardiola's guidance at Manchester City. Surprisingly, when fans were calling for Wenger's head, Arteta's name emerged as a possible candidate.
However, since he has played alongside almost everyone on the current team, it is unnatural for him to takeover Wenger's role. There will not only be an awkward relationship between them but at the same time, it leaves the players uncomfortable too.
Arsenal needs an experienced manager who has been prolific in the field. Arteta is a newcomer and has relatively few managerial experiences thus far. Immediately after he left Arsenal, he joined Guardiola's managerial team. That is the only experience he has on his resume thus far.
In the near future, though he has been touted to be a potential replacement, it is unlikely that the Spaniard will return to Arsenal just yet. His managerial style is still unknown as compared to other managerial contenders and his ability to manage a team is unclear.
Although he was Arsenal's captain, I personally do not see him becoming Arsenal's manager in the near future.
