A large amount of Arsenal fans are calling for Arsene Wenger to move on after capitulating in this year’s title race.
Back-to-back losses against Watford and Chelsea now leave the north London club 12 points behind the latter, as we enter the business end of the season.
The Gunners have won the league title 13 times in their history – three of those under Wenger’s watch but haven’t lifted the title since 2004.
Of the other major trophies; they have won the FA Cup 12 times with the Frenchman leading them to six cup victories and the League Cup twice but this has never been a priority for the current boss.
The club’s only European successes were winning the Fairs Cup in 1970 and the Cup Winner’s Cup in 1994. Wenger led the club to two finals, losing both – the 2000 UEFA Cup final against Galatasary and the 2006 Champions League final against Barcelona.
Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger. Image: ©INPHO/Getty Images
Wenger has qualified to the group stages of the Champions League 19 seasons in a row - how Liverpool and even Manchester United wish they could say the same now given their current lack of top tier European action.
This remarkable feat even brought financial stability to the club as it relocated from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium.
Whether it is the time for him to leave or not, is there any top calibre coach available to replace him?
All the top managers are either at other Premier League clubs or it wouldn’t be worth their while leaving the job they are currently in. I can’t see Carlo Ancelotti leaving Bayern or Luis Enrique leaving Barcelona.
The only realistic alternative is Diego Simeone who took the unusual step of shortening his current contract at Atletico Madrid. It would be a huge gamble to get rid of Wenger unless the Argentinian had previously committed to moving to London.
Even then, given the fan’s expectation to mount a serious challenge for the Premier League title immediately, it leaves no time to develop a new team.
Maybe Arsenal fans need a dose of reality. The devil you know is better than the devil you don’t.
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