5 Candidates to Replace Arsene Wenger If Arsenal Suffer Early-Season Slump

Arsenal's early season form in 2011-12 did not make for pretty reading. Fair to say, if they had have made a half-decent start to the campaign then, given their form over the second half of the season, the title race might just have had a third team in it.

Even so, Arsene Wenger turned it around admirably and guided Arsenal to a third place finish.

He has since spent the summer strengthening the squad early on with Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud quick reinforcements, though the transfer sagas concerning Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott continue to rumble on.

Should the Gunners start the new campaign poorly once more, despite the investment in the team, perhaps Wenger will have had enough.

Given the uncertainty and rifts at boardroom level, maybe someone will snap there and, out of a misguided attempt to exert their authority, give Arsene the push before he jumps.

It's not a terribly likely scenario, granted, but Arsenal might just have a few candidates in mind for when the Frenchman does leave the Emirates.

Here are five candidates for if that date is sooner, rather than later.

Laurent Blanc

More of the same?

With an air of "Le Prof" about him, spectacles and thinning hair—as well as being French—Laurent Blanc could be an Arsene Wenger Mach II in the making.

The former Bordeaux manager has experience at both club and international level, though his renegade French squad did for their own ambitions at Euro 2012 with the now-customary fall from grace, largely because of bad attitude.

Out of work and available for hire, Blanc would no doubt jump at the chance to manage Arsenal.

Managerial Honours

One Ligue 1

One Coupe de Ligue

Two Trophee des Champions

Marcelo Bielsa

Tactically brilliant, energetic, attack-minded and more than a little bit crazy, Athletic Bilbao's Marcelo Bielsa would be a fine replacement for Arsene Wenger.

Bielsa's teams always play in his own image, and he might be just the sort to get the best out of some of the slightly underwhelming but talented playing staff at the Gunners.

Unlike some on this list, Bielsa is still under contract despite a recent dispute with his club, meaning Arsenal would have to fork out to bring him to the Emirates, but that would likely be no problem.

Bielsa commands huge respect in the football world and would attract players without any issue at all.

Managerial Honours

Three-time Argentine Primera Division

One Olympic Games Gold

Harry Redknapp

Any takers?

No?

Alright, alright; I'm only joking, Arsenal fans.

But how much would it surprise/shock/annoy Spurs fans if the man they sacked this summer led Arsenal to their first trophy in seven years? Redknapp values the cups would keep the team playing attacking football. He would relish the stay in London and all that comes with it.

Still nothing? Fine, on we go...

Managerial Honours

One FA Cup

One English Division Three

One Football (lower) League Trophy

One English Championship (division one)

Roberto Martinez

The Wigan Athletic boss is turning quickly into the Premier League's nearly-man.

Last season, linked with Aston Villa's available job, he decided to stay on at Wigan, where he performed another late saving act, keeping them in the top flight with a fine run of form at season's end.

This summer, it was Villa again, then Spurs and finally Liverpool who were considering the Spaniard as their new appointment—but all looked elsewhere eventually.

It only takes one season where his players don't find that special run of form and Wigan will be relegated from the Premiership, and Martinez's reputation will go with them.

Arsenal might decide the way forward with their manager is the same as their players: Bring them in young and develop them to be top-level in their profession.

Here and now, Martinez still fits that description.

Managerial Honours

One English League One (second division)

Pep Guardiola

Another Spaniard, this one slightly more successful and in-demand than the previous one.

Pep Guardiola is taking a year out of football following his resignation from a hugely successful spell in charge of FC Barcelona.

Breathtaking style of play, progressive and inventive tactics, superb man management and faith in the young guns at the club—possibly the only factor in which Guardiola is not yet on the A-List is in the transfer market.

Who knows, after a couple of months out of the game perhaps he'll realise a year is too long and he's ready for another big challenge.

And if they Arsenal job became available... well, Gunners fans can dream.

Managerial Honours

Three-time La Liga

Two-time Copa del Rey

Three-time Supercopa de España

Two-time UEFA Champions League

Two-time UEFA Super Cup

Two-time FIFA World Club Cup

One-time Spanish Tercera Division

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