Arsene Wenger's position at Arsenal has come under the spotlight again following Saturday's defeat against Watford.

The Gunners slumped to a 2-1 defeat at Vicarage Road to leave them nine points off the pace in the Premier League title race.

Wenger's men have already suffered three losses in their opening eight games, and the latest reverse has turned up the heat on the Frenchman.

But who should replace the 67-year-old at the Emirates if the two parties go their separate ways?

Our reporters have their say:

Darren Lewis - Arsenal have made a commitment

Arsene Wenger hoists the FA Cup in the air back in May (
Image:
Getty)

If we start buying into the idea that Wenger should go after one defeat, don't we become the same as those reactionist, incendiary supporters on Arsenal Fan TV? They have a right to their opinion, of course. Absolutely. But I still disagree.

It is a result that doesn't reflect well on him, for sure. It was incredibly damaging. But Chelsea have lost to Burnley and Crystal Palace this season.

Arsenal have made a commitment to Wenger with his new deal. There is a long way to go in the Premier League title race. Surely you stick with him through the campaign and, at the end of it, if they are not back in the top four or haven't won a trophy, then move on. I say stick with him.

John Cross - Arsenal need a coach with a proven record

Leonardo Jardim. Arsenal need a coach with Champions League experience, an attacking philosophy and a proven track record.

I felt Wenger should have gone last summer and to continue for two more years will push them further behind.

Leonardo Jardim has a proven track record (
Image:
Jan Kruger)

Andy Dunn - Gunners should go all out for Simeone

The chances of getting him are slim and none but if Arsenal and Arsene Wenger decide their long marriage is over, Stan Kroenke should instruct his people to go all-out for Diego Simeone.

Simeone has recently renewed his commitment to Atletico Madrid and there are very few reasons why he would leave but Arsenal should at least test his resolve when they are looking for a successor to Wenger.

The job he has done at Atletico has been magnificent and he is just the type of character to get rid of the torpor that seems to have enveloped the Emirates.

Diego Simeone looks on (
Image:
Getty)

David Anderson - Napoli coach fits the bill

Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri would be my pick to succeed Arsene Wenger at Arsenal.

You must be doing something right as a coach if Pep Guardiola likes you and the Manchester City is a huge fan of Sarri.

Since City were paired with Napoli in the Champions League, he has been almost gushing in his praise for the Italian coach because of his footballing style.

Guardiola claims they are playing the best football of any side in Europe right now, although his own fans may disagree after Saturday’s destruction of Stoke.

As well as playing the right way, Sarri, 58, also gets results and Napoli are top of Serie A with eight wins from eight, including five away wins.

Could Maurizio Sarri be the man to replace Wenger at the helm? (
Image:
AFP/Getty Images)

The former bank clerk is also experienced and spent years serving his apprenticeship in Italy’s lower leagues before achieving his breakthrough with Empoli.

He won them promotion to Serie A in 2014 and confounded the critics by keeping them up the following season.

Napoli were impressed enough to appoint him as Rafa Benitez’s success in 2015 and despite the loss of big names, such as Gonzalo Hilguain, they have prospered under him.

In an age of big spending, Sarri has proved he does not need a chequebook to succeed and has shrewdly assembled a formidable side around talents such as Marek Hamsik, Kalidou Koulibaly and Dries Mertens.

It would be fascinating to see if Sarri could reproduce this football in the Premier League - and what better stage than the Emirates?

Hamish Mackay - Atletico boss would be perfect solution

Diego Simeone would be a popular choice (
Image:
Andrew Powell)

I can't see him leaving Atletico Madrid until at least the summer but Diego Simeone would be the perfect manager to solve Arsenal's problems.

When Wenger arrived at Arsenal he inherited a team whose modus operandi was to shut teams out and worry about scoring after that.

George Graham's squad knew how to defend but needed a coach like Wenger to sort out the rest of their game.

Wenger got them playing attacking football and thinking creatively and within two years they had won the league.

These days, Arsenal know how to play attacking football but pretty much everything else has fallen by the wayside. The current crop needs a manager that deals in discipline and defensive solidity to reeducate them.

Martin Domin - Why not bring back a club legend?

New York City head coach Patrick Vieira (
Image:
LightRocket)

Just as it was when Sir Alex Ferguson left Manchester United, it will be strange to see someone else in the Arsenal dugout - so why not bring back a club legend?

Patrick Vieira was a colossus on and off the field during his time in north London and is someone who would immediately command the respect of the players, fans, and backroom staff.

The Frenchman has transformed New York City in MLS since taking over almost two years ago and is beginning to earn plenty of respect.

Arsene Wenger has been reluctant to bring his former captain back to the club while he is in charge - but that wouldn't be an issue if he was to leave.

There is one stumbling block - and it's a pretty big one in Manchester City.The Etihad club parachuted Vieira into New York after his spell as their reserve team and Elite Development squad manager and he has admitted it would be a "fairytale" to manage the first team.

But if Arsenal do sack Wenger soon - and move for Vieira - he might find it too tempting to turn down the offer.

Jake Polden - Wenger's archaic approach is holding them back

Thomas Tuchel is a free agent (
Image:
REUTERS)

Arsene Wenger was once at the forefront of modern football. The Frenchman revolutionised the Premier League in so many ways, but time has moved on. His now seemingly archaic approach to the game is holding Arsenal back, and who better to freshen things up at the Emirates than Thomas Tuchel?

Currently out of a job, the young German is strikingly similar to Jurgen Klopp in the way he sets up his teams, and has previously admitted he keeps a very close eye on Pep Guardiola - two managers you'd expect Arsenal fans to leap at the chance of naming their own.

Following a relatively disappointing final season under Klopp, in which Dortmund finished seventh, the Bundesliga giants bounced back in spectacular style in Tuchel's first year in charge. They secured second-spot and recorded a league-high 82 goals for the campaign. They also reached the final of the DFB Cup.

But it's not just his exciting, attacking football that will capture the attention of Arsenal fans. Like Wenger, the German focuses on youth and oversaw the development of both Christian Pulisic and Julian Weigl while at Dortmund.

But Arsenal will have to move quickly if they want to secure Tuchel. Bayern Munich are already sniffing around the manager as a potential permanent replacement for Carlo Ancelotti.

Thomas Bristow - Winning mentality is exactly what Arsenal need

Brendan Rodgers on the Emirates touchline (
Image:
Reuters / Eddie Keogh)

Brendan Rodgers. Before you search for my name on Twitter and send me abuse... just hear me out. I'm fully aware this an unlikely, left-field option. But it's still an option nonetheless, here's why...

Despite his comical flaws (great character etc.), Rodgers is an incredibly talented manager. He constantly gets the best out of his players and knows the game inside out.

But he got sacked from Liverpool, you say. No matter what side you have, losing Luis Suarez is going to be a big blow. OK, maybe he didn't replace the Uruguayan or invest the cash in the right way, but were failings in the transfer market his fault or the boards?

The Northern Irishman is rebuilding his career at Celtic and, yes, I know it's Celtic, but nearly 60 games unbeaten with any team is a phenomenal feat. He may not have the European record of a Massimilian Allegri or a Carlo Ancelotti, but he's getting very used to winning games, winning leagues and winning cups.

That winning mentality is exactly what Arsenal need. And, if you want to get real petty about it, Rodgers has gone closer than Arsene Wenger to winning the Premier League in recent times. Who better to replace an invincible than with an invincible...

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