Next Arsenal manager: Who's favourite to replace Arsene Wenger, who's on the shortlist and who's out the running?

A big job awaits whoever follows Wenger – who will they go for?

Arsene Wenger will leave Arsenal at the end of the season after 22 years as manager.

The club has a big decision to make, and there have been plenty of names brought up in the discussion of who will replace the Frenchman.

It is crucial that Arsenal appoint the right man to succeed Wenger. The Gunners have stagnated over the last two seasons, and while there is talent both proven and emerging in the squad, the new manager will have to rebuild and reinforce, with two new centre-backs, a goalkeeper, new full-backs, a central midfielder and an attacking wide-man all on the wish list.

A big job, therefore, awaits whoever follows Wenger. Who will they go for?

Max Allegri is believed to be Arsenal’s preferred option. The Juventus manager fulfils the club’s criteria as a proven and experienced manager with a strong reputation. However, Allegri said that he will stay in Turin unless he is sacked, after claiming both the Coppa Italia and yet another Serie A title. The 50-year-old has unfinished business in Turin, desiring the Champions League title that has eluded him thus far.

Allegri is the Gunners’ top choice (AFP)

It means Mikel Arteta is currently in pole position. The Manchester City assistant is well thought of in coaching circles, and as a former Arsenal captain he has a strong connection with the club’s supporters. The hierarchy are hoping to install someone who can fit into the new, more layered managerial framework at the club to work with Sven Mislintat and Raul Sanllehi behind the scenes, and there is optimism that Arteta would suit such a head coach role, rather than the omnipotent manager role Wenger assumed.

The club are known to be admirers of Julian Nagelsmann who has forged a reputation as Germany’s most exciting young managers, but Hoffenheim’s director of football Alexander Rosen insisted he was certain the 30-year-old would remain at the Bundesliga side next season. “Julian Nagelsmann will be our coach next season, 100 per cent,” Rosen said.

Luis Enrique is familiar with head of football relations Sanllehi, but the Spaniard is demanding a hefty pay packet. There is also uncertainty about Enrique’s credentials – his sole top job was with an extremely talented Barcelona side and Lionel Messi in his prime. Some are unsure if Enrique would be able to reproduce his success elsewhere.

Luis Enrique enjoyed glittering success at Barcelona (Getty)

Talk of Zeljko Buvac has quietened. Buvac worked with Arsenal’s Head of Recruitment Sven Mislintat at Borussia Dortmund and had emerged as an unlikely contender. But the Liverpool assistant coach relishes the shadows and the club are believed to prefer a manager who will rise to the opportunity and draw attention, wishing to galvanise the fanbase.

It is therefore unlikely that Brendan Rodgers will return to English football, too. The Northern Irishman said last month that it would take “something extraordinary” for him to become Arsenal manager after being linked with the role. Rodgers appears to be happy at Celtic.

Owner Stan Kroenke made a left-field appointment for the Los Angeles Rams last year, with then 31-year-old Sean McVay proving a transformative choice for a once-historic NFL franchise that had stagnated under below-par leadership for too long. Sound familiar?

Patrick Vieira is a popular name among fans, but it is understood he is not under serious consideration for the job as yet. While he has done a good job at New York City, Vieira is severely lacking in experience.

The club are keen to secure someone as soon as possible with the World Cup looming. That may preclude Joachim Löw, who was an early front-runner but will be concentrating on Germany’s efforts in Russia – and he has now signed a contract extension with the German Football Association taking him to 2022.