Arsenal FC: Top 6 Potential Replacements for Arsene Wenger

There can be no disputing that Arsene Wenger is under serious pressure at Arsenal. The Frenchman has gone six years without a trophy, and his side is in danger of missing out on Champions League qualification this season.

Here's a piece I wrote about Arsenal fans falling out of love with their manager, which was evident in their reaction to Sunday's 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester United.

While it seems the Arsenal board have complete faith in Wenger, the fans are clearly beginning to doubt him. They crave success, and it can't be easy watching the rise of Tottenham as their beloved team struggles to make an impression.

Who knows, maybe Wenger can mount a response and finish inside the top four. Maybe he'll even win the Champions League?

If he achieves neither, the speculation will continue to mount over his future. The big question is, if Wenger does jump, or he's pushed, who will replace him at The Emirates?

Here are six possible candidates.

Guus Hiddink

Dutchman Guus Hiddink has been out of work since resigning as Turkey coach, following their failure to reach the Euro 2012 finals.

The veteran is no stranger to the Premier League, having taken temporary charge of Chelsea in 2009. He won the FA Cup with the Blues and was heralded as a success in the role, before returning to his duties as national coach of Russia.

One bookmaker has him at 13-1 to be the next Arsenal boss.

Carlo Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti followed Hiddink as Chelsea coach and duly won the Double in his first season at the club.

The Italian couldn't match his achievements in his second season at the club, however, and was unceremoniously sacked in the tunnel after a game against Everton.

Ancelotti is now under Qatari rule at Paris Saint-Germain, but there's always the chance they'll prove as fickle as Roman Abramovich. If they do, Arsenal would seem like a good fit for the two-time Champions League winner.

Bookmakers have him at around 15-1.

Laurent Blanc

Laurent Blanc is certainly not short on Premier League experience, having played under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

Now coach of the French national team, Blanc achieved notable success with Bordeaux at the start of his career in management and succeeded in qualifying France for Euro 2012.

If that doesn't go well, he may find himself looking for employment at the end of the summer. Arsenal, with their French influence already well established, could provide the perfect next step for Blanc.

Martin O'Neill

Martin O'Neill has always been destined to end up at a big club. Some thought it would be Manchester United, but maybe it will be Arsenal instead.

O'Neill is back at work at Sunderland and has gotten off to a superb start in the Northeast. His reputation for putting out attractive football and approaching the science of the game with real intelligence marks him out as a natural successor for Arsene Wenger.

If the Gunners came knocking, it's hard to imagine O'Neill turning them down, which is probably why one bookmaker has him at 11-1 to replace Wenger.

Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has always said he fancies a return to England one day, and while Manchester United would appear to be his first choice, that job might not be available for a couple of years yet.

Were Mourinho to come up short at Madrid this season, or even if he were to win La Liga and the Champions League, he may well be looking for a new challenge come the start of next season.

If he is, Arsenal would surely move heaven and Earth to have him. Bookmakers have him as low as 11-1 to follow Arsene Wenger at The Emirates.

Pep Guardiola

There's no doubting that Barcelona and Arsenal play football to a similar philosophy. Both teams covet possession and play a purist's passing game to appeal to the neutrals.

Clearly, Pep Guardiola's outfit is vastly superior to Arsene Wenger's right now, but the suggestion here is that Guardiola will eventually run out of things to achieve at Camp Nou.

If he does (and I seriously doubt it), perhaps Arsenal might be his logical next step. And perhaps that's why he's the bookmakers' favorite to replace Wenger at The Emirates.

Read this to carry on the disbelief, Arsenal fans.