Arsene Out – but only if we get Allegri! by AT
As is the norm, there is a lot of speculation over the future of Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger as the Gunners move towards the end of yet another disappointing season. The difference this time is that the Gunners do not look likely to even achieve a top-four finish and the number of fans calling for Wenger’s head are greater than ever before, and with the boss out of contract at the end of the season, the likelihood of Wenger quitting is also stronger than ever before.
Personally, I think Wenger should walk. Thirteen years without a title is simply unacceptable for a club like Arsenal. For someone who has been around for more than twenty years, the Frenchman does not seem to have learned from his mistakes and continues to make the same old excuses.
However, what makes the situation complicated is whether the Arsenal board will bring in a world-class replacement. In the midst of all the penny-pinching, we may see Arsenal sign someone in the standard of Sam Allardyce or Eddie Howe, managers who may not even be able to maintain the level Arsene has been maintaining.
Another complication is that the futures of a lot of players depend on whether Wenger will stay on, with Ozil admitting that Wenger’s decision will be a key factor in his own decision to stay with the club or leave. Apart from the German, it is likely that the futures of Hector Bellerin, Laurent Koscielny and Olivier Giroud all depend on Wenger’s decision too.
Anyway, my point is that if Arsenal are to replace manager, it should be someone who is capable of building a squad and challenging for titles. Looking at the situation now, the only manager of that calibre who’s future is up in the air is Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri. If we can’t get him, we’d rather not take the risk of bringing in a mediocre manager.
Anurag