Gunners in search for successor
FROM BACK PAGE doubts about his future growing among the hierarchy.
Wenger said: “My job is to protect the players and to get them to focus on the next performance. I get the plaudits when it goes well, so I have to take the bad when it doesn’t go well.”
However, it can be revealed that a growing number of players have lost faith in Wenger and whether he can take the club forward.
There is a feeling within the squad that it is time for change after a disappointing season which has seen them slip to sixth place, crash out of the FA Cup and lose the League Cup final. The players are worried about being able to compete, fear they are slipping behind tactically and there were complaints that a tough training schedule in the build-up to the final left them shattered.
There could also be a backlash from Gunners fans tonight following the Wembley final defeat.
Arsenal have already begun succession planning, with Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim and former Emirates captain Mikel Arteta – now a coach at Manchester City – at the top of their wanted list.