Max Allegri, Mikel Arteta Lead Group of Potential Arsene Wenger Successors

Arsenal have narrowed their shortlist of candidates to replace Arsene Wenger as manager this summer to a "select group," with Massimiliano Allegri, Mikel Arteta and Patrick Vieira "still under serious consideration."

The Daily Telegraph's Jeremy Wilson reported Arsenal have shortened the list of candidates but remain undecided on whether to appoint a big name or a younger coach.

Hiring an established manager would take Arsenal to Juventus chief Allegri, with Wilson spelling out the merits of going for a proven man: "A big, proven figure like Allegri would likely bring greater staff numbers and salary expectations but would represent less of a risk in a Premier League that is now packed with many of the main 'galactico' managerial figures in world football."

Allegri more than answers the demand for a track record of success. He won his fourth Coppa Italia with a 4-0 victory over AC Milan at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday.

Squawka Football put the notable achievement into an impressive context:

Allegri is also on the cusp of winning the Serie A title for a fourth year running. It would mean a quartet of league-and-cup doubles for the Bianconeri since Allegri succeeded Antonio Conte in 2014.

This unmatched run of domestic dominance has left the Guardian's Paolo Bandini wondering why the man who has also led Juve to a pair of UEFA Champions League finals and won Serie A with Milan in 2010/11 would stick around:

Allegri is set to discuss his future at the end of the season amid rumours he is destined to succeed Wenger, who will step down after nearly 22 years in charge of Arsenal this summer, per Sky Sports News.

Juve's season won't finish until May 20, with Allegri's men still having two league games left to play. Wilson noted how Arsenal don't want to approach managers involved in jobs at the business end of the European season before adding: "How Allegri and Juventus might react to an approach after the Italian season finishes is unclear."

The Gunners may yet opt to hire an unproven, younger coach than 50-year-old Allegri. Former Arsenal midfielders Mikel Arteta and Patrick Vieira are on the select list despite their ties to Premier League rivals Manchester City.

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Arteta left Arsenal in 2016 to join Pep Guardiola's coaching staff at the Etihad Stadium, while Vieira is in charge of MLS side New York City FC, run by the same owners who control the Citizens.

Wilson pointed out how "Arteta, 36, is particularly well-regarded inside Arsenal for his influence both on and off the pitch as a player between 2011 and 2016."

The Spaniard would be a risky appointment for a club needing to mend fences with certain supporters after a fractious relationship between Wenger and the fans in recent years.

However, Arteta's experience playing for the Frenchman and working with the progressive Guardiola would no doubt mean Arsenal continuing to play the expansive, attacking football Wenger made a core part of the club's identity.

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Allegri would likely be more conservative, having built much of his success in Turin on firm defensive foundations. A change in style may be welcomed by many since Arsenal have surrendered 51 goals in 37 league matches this season.

Chief executive Ivan Gazidis, head of recruitment Sven Mislintat and head of football relations Raul Sanllehi will have to choose between coaches with divergent philosophies before presenting a name to majority owner Stan Kroenke.

Arsenal's decision-makers have narrowed down their list of candidates to take charge of the team. Now the club must choose which path it prefers for the post-Wenger era—either one maintaining the principles he leaves behind or a shift toward something new to fix familiar failings.