Is it time for Arsenal to replace Arsene Wenger?

24 September 2011 09:57
Matt Lawton, Chief Football Correspondent[LNB]It is starting to feel like the end of the line for Arsene Wenger, although he will only leave if he considers it the best option for Arsenal. And then I don't see it happening until the end of the season. [LNB]But, for me, he remains the best man to lead the club out of this difficult period and make them great again. [LNB]If Wenger does leave in the summer, Arsenal should look no further than Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian adores English football and has a proven pedigree for building great teams that win trophies playing beautiful football.[LNB] End of the road? Arsene Wenger has had a terrible start to the season at Arsenal[LNB]Neil Ashton, Football News Correspondent[LNB]Sadly, yes. The demand from the vast majority of Arsenal supporters is to win major trophies and this squad is no longer capable of challenging for them. Wenger's flawed philosophy replacing seasoned course and distance winners with callow youths has failed. [LNB]He spoiled Gunners fans with the Invincibles in 2004, but he cannot turn back the clock. Now it's time to fast-forward and ambitiously persuade Pep Guardiola his next challenge is at the Emirates.[LNB]Chris Wheeler[LNB]No. Wenger will have been at Arsenal 15 years at the end of this month; he knows the club inside out, built the current squad, and has spent ?30million on new signings this summer. [LNB]Changing manager in midstream benefits no-one. He deserves the chance to solve the worst crisis of his managerial career and turn Arsenal into a major force again. If there are no signs of significant improvement by the end of the season then maybe it's time for a change next summer. Until then, Arsenal need to keep faith in the Frenchman and give him time to sort it out.[LNB] Available for hire: Matt Lawton thinks Carlo Ancelotti has the credentials to succeed Wenger[LNB] Ian Ladyman, Northern Football Correspondent[LNB]Yes, Wenger's time at Arsenal has run its course. It is generally claimed that Arsenal play good football. They don't. Wenger's teams play deeply flawed football and six years without a trophy is too long. No Premier League team has ever played football as attractive as Arsenal and we should always be grateful to Wenger for what he has taught us. [LNB]However, football is ultimately about winning and Wenger's inability to sign reliable goalkeepers and central defenders is a remarkable flaw in such a gifted coach. Replacing him would be an enormous task. David Moyes deserves a chance at a top-four club and is a lover of passing football.[LNB]Michael Walker[LNB]Griping Arsenal fans could do with recalling that between 1953 and 1989 the club won one league title one in 36 years. Arsenal entered Europe in 1963: they won the Fairs Cup in 1970 and Cup Winners' Cup 24 years later. Arsenal have never won the European Cup or UEFA Cup. [LNB]The idea that the club is a trophy machine needs perspective. Wenger transformed it and deserves enormous credit for his aesthetic vision. True, his timing has been odd this summer but he can come again. [LNB]He has certainly earned the right to one 'bad' season. If he was pushed, David Moyes would be an interesting contender.[LNB] Lofty ambitions: Neil Ashton suggests Arsenal should make an audacious attempt to lure Pep Guardiola from Barcelona[LNB] Sami Mokbel[LNB]Wenger's achievements at Arsenal should mean he is afforded time to turn the club's dismal start to the season around. His decisions in the transfer market have been strange to say the least. He would be inundated with job offers should he leave Arsenal know that.[LNB]Laura Williamson[LNB]No. Wenger said he could write a book about the toughest summer of his 15 years at Arsenal, but he remains the man to guide the club through the storm. [LNB]Never mind the absence of an outstanding available candidate to replace him, a knee-jerk appointment could be catastrophic for the Gunners. Wenger's ideas are ingrained in the club's fabric and his successor must be eased into the role not catapulted in amid the panic. [LNB]That would help no one, least of all the players, who must stick it out until January regardless of who picks the team on a Saturday. The Frenchman's association with the club certainly still has a few more chapters to run.[LNB] Adebayor has made a great start here! Redknapp praises former Arsenal strikerAre you sure, Arsene? Wenger insists Arsenal can still compete in title raceARSENAL v Bolton: Ramsey, Rosicky and Sagna set for return to boost GunnersBlame us, not Arsene, for our woeful start to the season, says Arsenal star Walcott[LNB][LNB]

Source: Daily_Mail