It is not just outsiders who think Arsene Wenger's time is up: most (if not all) Arsenal fans seem to have reached the end of their patience with their manager.
It has to be said that he has, overall, been a great servant to the club. His early years of winning league titles and FA cups (in later years) can't ever be forgotten. He has, however, stayed on the job far too long.
Sir Alex Ferguson retired from Manchester United with the club celebrating its 20th Premier League title in 2013; It is doubtful if Wenger will find such success to bow out with.
For the club's sake, now is the right time to get a new manager in with new ideas.
This article looks at 5 possible candidates to replace the Arsenal gaffer and what each man will bring to the table:
#5 Diego Simeone
Perhaps the favourite choice, Simeone has been linked with Arsenal for the last few seasons. The football he gets his teams to play is completely different to Wenger's philosophy: since 2011, Simeone has marshalled Atletico Madrid into a well-drilled, extremely organized defensive unit.
He somehow managed to win La Liga in 2014, breaking up the Barcelona and Real Madrid monopoly, and the fact that he has taken his team to 2 UEFA Champions League finals in 3 years also speaks volumes about his ability.
Simeone is among the best 'man managers' in world football and this ability to speak to his players would be key as Arsenal look to have a lot of players in need of rejuvenation: Mesut Ozil, Alex Iwobi, Alexandre Lacazette and Aaron Ramsey are just some who have looked jaded this season, in dire need of a lift.
Arsenal fans have watched their team playing attractive, passing football under Wenger but football changes, and too often, they've found themselves exposed, especially away from home. Simeone would never allow a team under his control to be so weak and timid, and he might just be the perfect man to transform this talented but under-performing side.
#4 Thierry Henry
This would be a very bold choice, definitely, but would perhaps also be the most popular appointment with the fans: Henry is, without question, the greatest player in the club's history. He's unproven as a manager yet, but his selection would represent the same sort of risk that Barcelona took with Pep Guardiola in 2008; sometimes risks pay off handsomely.
Henry has coached the Arsenal youth teams and is currently assistant to Roberto Martinez with the Belgian national team. He has much going in his favor, including having played under Guardiola during his time at Barcelona where he was sure to have learned from the manager.
Much like Guardiola and his connection with Barcelona, Henry understands Arsenal, knows what the fans expect from their football, and is aware of their need for success. That he is also an advocate of pure, attacking football would please both the fans and players.
After a few difficult few seasons under Wenger, perhaps the board would be wise to win some favour back from the fans by appointing such an icon as manager.
#3 Eddie Howe
A very young English manager doing good things in the Premier League, it won't be long until Howe earns his chance at a bigger club.
He's taken Bournemouth through the divisions, managing to keep them in the league for 2 seasons now, despite the club having one of the smallest budgets.
It's the fact that his team plays some of the finest possession football in the league that is most noticeable. Regardless of whether it's Manchester United or Burnley they're playing, Howe sends his team out to play good football, something which is to be commended.
His philosophy clearly fits with Wenger's and would represent a continuation of Arsenal's style if he replaced the Frenchman. Arsenal fans would appreciate the football on show, as they've become used to, and Howe's youthful exuberance and enthusiasm might be the burst of energy the club needs.
It has become painfully clear that Arsenal has no chance of winning the league this season or to be very uncharitable, not next season either. This then provides an opportunity to take a chance on a hungry but unproven manager - a tag that fits Howe like a glove.
#2 Carlo Ancelotti
The manager with the best CV on this slide show, Ancelotti is rightly considered one of the greatest managers in world football in the 21st century. He's found success wherever he has gone: 2 Champions League wins at AC Milan; the EPL title with Chelsea; and another Champions League win with Real Madrid.
There's not one role that he's taken which could be deemed as a failure. If Ancelotti replaced Wenger, it would be the safest choice for Arsenal at the moment: perhaps a manager who virtually guarantees success is what's needed after their recent struggles. Ancelotti is well-known for allowing his players to express themselves; he's not one for using punishing tactical systems.
His favoured formation (4-3-1-2) which worked for him to such great effect during his time at the San Siro might also suit this Arsenal team: the idea of pairing Alexandre Lacazette with hitman Olivier Giroud with Mesut Ozil in the playmaking hole is fascinating.
Ancelotti's recognition would also help to attract top players to the club, something which they've struggled with recently, losing out to their league rivals in pursuit of world-class talent.
#1 Luis Enrique
It's forgotten a little just how good Barcelona under Enrique were in the 2014/2015 season, given his troubles last season: fronted by the sublime attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar, Barcelona won the treble, scoring an amazing amount of goals in the process.
Perhaps because he didn't change the team's tactics as drastically and impressively, Enrique never received the acclaim that Pep Guardiola did. He was, however, a success on the job, never having finished a season without winning at least 1 trophy.
Upon starting his previous job, he made it a priority to tighten up the defence, resulting in a loss of only 21 goals in the 2014/2015 season compared to the huge 33 lost in the season before: this focus on defensive duties would be much appreciated by Arsenal.
As shown by his disagreements with Lionel Messi when at the Camp You, he's not a manager afraid to speak his mind and enforce his views on the team and it often feels like this is what Arsenal have been missing lately.
The likes of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil have at times appeared disinterested or don't seem to be putting in a full effort - something Enrique won't allow. He is currently taking some time out of football after the stresses of the Barcelona job, but the right offer could certainly tempt him to return.
The prospect of challenging himself against the best managers in the world in Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp and Jose Mourinho could be interesting to him.
Arsenal are also a team with players who suit Enrique's style of fast, attacking football, with players like Danny Welbeck, Alexandre Lacazette, and Alex Iwobi perhaps better suited to this approach over Wenger's slower possession ways.
