Could Arsene Wenger and Arsenal finally part ways this summer? The signs are pointing to change
Get Arsenal FC updates directly to your inbox + Subscribe Thank you for subscribing! Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email
There are plenty of conspiracy theories around at the moment about Arsene Wenger’s future.
The new hierarchy have supposedly got their own man lined up, Joachim Low even got a mention this week and Gary Neville suggested on Sky that it “may be Arsene Wenger's last season.”
Former Manchester United defender Neville suggested it might have been a move on Arsenal’s part to fool everyone into thinking Wenger would stay for two years but end up leaving after 12 months but not face so many questions about his future.
Well, the questions are beginning to come and, from what I know, while there is no definite succession plan in place, there is a growing feeling it could be the end of Wenger’s 22 year reign this summer.
(Image: PA)
(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Wenger is 68, did not fight as hard as he did last year to stay just to quit 12 months into a £8m-a-year two year contract, but he is realistic enough to know that sixth place, 26 points behind leaders Manchester City and finishing empty handed will not be progress.
It is hard to see Wenger ever walking away but there may be a mutual decision come the summer and it has to be said that Arsenal are now in a much better position to appoint the right successor than they have ever been before.
Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis talked about a “catalyst for change” last spring and that is coming into play and now with head of recruitment Sven Mislintat and Barcelona’s former director of football Raul Sanllehi would know where to turn.
Wenger certainly offered no assurances about his future at a box holders Q&A session in Arsenal’s Diamond Club on Thursday night. But he did make it clear that he was enjoying working with the new set-up.
He also insisted he was focused on finishing as high as possible, reaching the top four and veered away from answering questions about anything beyond this summer.
(Image: REUTERS)
(Image: Getty Images AsiaPac)
But there was not quite the same level of him insisting he never breaks a contract as has always been the case in the past.
And there is a growing doubt about his future, especially in the wake of defeats like at Swansea on Tuesday night.
As good as this week has been in terms of signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and tying Mesut Ozil down to a new contract, the defeat at Swansea highlighted all Arsenal’s old failings.
Arsenal will be reluctant to let another 12 months go by with the club reading water rather than making an appointment this summer to change things up.
There was definitely a plot in the board last year over whether to keep Wenger or not, but ultimately majority shareholder Stan Kroenke has the final say and insisted he wanted him to stay.
(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
(Image: Arsenal FC)
Kroenke’s son Josh has been in town this week and is very close to his father and could provide a good bridge between club and owner as well as being tipped to eventually one day become chairman.
It all points to things changing at Arsenal and Wenger may yet enjoy a glorious season as they are in the Carabao Cup final, they are in the Europa League and are chasing a top four place.
But if it does fade away and finish in disappointment, then it may be that Wenger finally decides to move on and we are seeing the first hints and signs that this season may be his last.