Is Jurgen Klopp Wenger’s Natural Successor?

Since Arsene Wenger signed a new three year deal this Summer many expected a change of direction or maybe a reinvigorated focus instead it has been one of the worst starts to a season under Wenger. Arsenal got back to winning ways at the weekend with a not so convincing performance at a very ordinary looking Sunderland who gifted the two goals which Alexis Sanchez comfortably converted.

There are problems a plenty at the Emirates just 9 games in with only 3 wins in the Premier League against Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Sunderland the performances weren’t anything to shout about either. You can blame a World Cup hangover but that is an easy excuse to convey.

The problems at Arsenal run a lot deeper than just simple fatigue or the occasional hiccup, injuries are mounting again with a total of 8 players currently in the treatment room. Theo Walcott, Laurent koscielny, David Ospina, Mesut Ozil, Yaya Sanogo, Serge Gnabry, Mathieu Debuchy and Olivier Giroud. players are slowly coming back but with the lack of squad depth even when Arsenal are at their full compliment of personnel it is a real worry that the same mistakes are constantly being made, season after season.

There only a few months until the Winter transfer window is in full flow and something big needs to happen. Additions are needed even if it is to just make up the numbers with only 6 defenders registered in the first team (2 of them injured), still no proven defensive midfield player and not enough options up front it could or even should be make or break for Wenger’s future.

You could argue that winning the FA Cup last May should have been the perfect time for Arsenal and Arsene Wenger to part ways and both parties could look to the future. There is no denying that Arsene Wenger in his 18 years at the club has transformed a sleeping giant but there is always a right time to say goodbye and May was that right time.

The club has become stale and predictable in every way, the divide between Manager and Board to the fans has become greater with every season and the inflated ticket prices have only attributed to the vast disillusion that is felt by the masses.

There are always a few negative outbursts whenever the question of Wenger’s successor is brought up with the typical knee-jerk “be careful what you wish for” Arsene is Arsenal” etc, the fact is that Arsenal were a big club before Wenger arrived in 1996 and will be here long after he departs it is important not to lose sight of that truth.

In respect of who should succeed Wenger when the time comes there are a multitude of possibilities but the biggest mistake would be the Manchester United erroneous appointment, Sir Alex Ferguson was always going to be impossible to replace, change should be just that, change. To replace Wenger will be a big task but it is important to look at a manager that is not necessarily cut from the same cloth.

Jurgen Klopp is an obvious place to start and for many would be the ideal candidate. He is an attractive option and ticks all the right boxes. Klopp provides stability, the enigmatic German has been in charge for 7 seasons including this one. He fits the Arsenal blueprint more than most, Klopp has always had great respect for Arsenal and has always been tempted by clubs that provide a challenge to test his credentials.

Only time will tell whether Klopp is on Ivan Gazidis’ radar but with Wenger only having 2 more years on his current deal with many predicting this being his last in his current role it is important that the Arsenal board act promptly.