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Arsenal legend has his say on Wenger successor, doesn’t want PL man

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Arsenal are set for wholesale changes this summer after another disappointing campaign and the biggest piece of movement could occur at the top, with the future of manager Arsene Wenger being cast in serious doubt.

Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Newcastle United has left Arsenal as the only side within England’s top-five leagues yet to pick up a point away from home in 2018, ending any outside chance the Gunners had of sneaking into the Premier League’s top-four.

Speculation on Wenger’s future has been present for over a year, despite the Frenchman signing a new two-year contract last summer, and one man touted by some as an ideal successor at the Emirates Stadium is Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez.

However, speaking to TalkSportGunners legend Paul Merson had his say on the matter and believes the Spaniard wouldn’t be the right man for the job.

“I like Benitez – he is one of the top managers. I just think Arsenal [fans] want to see entertaining football, and I know this might sound a bit silly, but they want to see teams who go out to win football matches.”

“Benitez sort of sets his teams up – even at Liverpool – not to get beaten, and you go from there. Arsenal fans are staying away at the moment because it’s not entertaining enough, and I think they will need someone with a little bit more flair.”

“They need someone with longevity – someone who will get a four or five year contract and stay there – because you don’t want a Manchester United situation, where they change the manager many times quickly after Sir Alex Ferguson.”

Arsenal face a crucial two week period to save their campaign, with the hosting of West Ham this weekend followed by a first-leg Europa League semi-final clash with Atletico Madrid next week.

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