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Who will take up Arsene Wenger's mantle at Arsenal?

Though many people may claim the blizzard was the main reason many Arsenal fans kept away from their home game against City, a full house from the travelling City fans seriously questions that theory.

By Prashanth Kumar Purshotam
Arsene Wenger

Bengaluru, March 3: The double 3-0 thumping at the hands of Manchester City seems to have driven a big nail into Le prof’s coffin at the Emirates. Though many people may claim the blizzard was the main reason many Arsenal fans kept away from their home game against City, a full house from the travelling City fans seriously questions that theory.

Wenger has been at the helm for 22 years at Arsenal after having joined them from Japanese football club Nagoya Grampus Eight in 1996. Recent Arsenal performances, crest fallen fans and Josh Kroenke’s 90 day stay at the Emirates (son of Stan Kroenke who owns a majority stake at Arsenal) may signal a change in command in north London. Here are a few names that are being bandied about:

Carlo Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti

After his infamous exit from Bayern Munich and their subsequent rise with Jupp Heynckes, Arsenal fans might feel he isn't the right man for the job.

However, people forget he has won three Champions League titles and famously stopped Manchester United from winning four Premier League titles in a row by helping Chelsea clinch the 2009-2010 season by two points.

Plenty of Premier League experience and European credibility, moreover, he will be dying to prove that Bayern was just a blip in his illustrious career.

Joachim Loew

Joachim Loew

A World Cup-winner and he has been with the Germans since 2006, suggesting that this is a man who is in it for the long run.

Though plenty might question his club football credibility, one only needs to look at Germany's success at the international level to appreciate his achievements.

Since he took over as a manager, Germany have managed to at least reach semifinals in every major tournament they took part in.

Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers

This name might seem like an odd choice. Yes, he almost took Liverpool to their holy grail but many will claim it was Luis Suarez and not him. Apart from Liverpool, he only has Swansea and Celtic for credentials.

However, his pass and play philosophy might help Arsenal players transition easily. He also has experience handling immense pressure that comes with being a big club manager.

Julian Nagelsmann

Julian Nagelsmann

This has been a recent development. Though Bayern Munich might want the 30-year-old manager, people seem to think he might suit Arsenal with his attacking style.

He took over at Hoffenheim at the age of 28 when they were fighting relegation in February, 2016. The next season, they finished 4th and qualified for Champions League play-offs.

Luis Enrique

Luis Enrique

The man who took Barcelona to a treble in his first season in charge. Chelsea wanted him to replace Antonio Conte but they found out that he was too expensive.

Moreover, his failure at Roma seems to ask questions about whether he can recreate the Barcelona accolades at any other club. If Arsenal hire him, they at least have a serial winner.

Henry and other ex-players

Henry and other ex-players

This is another interesting list in itself. There are several former Arsenal players linked to Arsene's throne and Thierry Henry is one of them. He even announced it on TV that he is honoured to be linked to the job.

The only problem is that Henry has always been a pundit and never been a manager. Which isn't a problem for the other ex-Arsenal players linked to the top job.

Dennis Bergkamp was the manager at Ajax before he was sacked. Mikel Arteta is an assistant at Manchester City and Patrick Vieira is the manager for New York City FC. The fact that both of them are involved with Manchester City and not Arsenal is a tragedy in itself.

Story first published: Saturday, March 3, 2018, 13:53 [IST]
Other articles published on Mar 3, 2018