Arsene Wenger tips Patrick Vieira to succeed him as Arsenal manager

Arsene Wenger believes Patrick Vieira could one day succeed him as Arsenal manager.

The former Gunners midfielder has been linked with the post amid speculation Wenger could leave the club after 22 years in charge this summer.

An end-of-season review into Wenger’s position is set to take place with his future now largely dependent on whether Arsenal can secure a return to Champions League football by winning the Europa League.

They face a two-legged semi-final against competition favourites Atletico Madrid starting next Thursday at Emirates Stadium.

Vieira, who made 407 appearances for Arsenal between 1996 and 2005, is currently head coach at New York City FC having spent more than four years working with Manchester City’s youth teams.

And Wenger believes his fellow Frenchman is a possible candidate to take over, whenever the opportunity may arise: “He’s a guy who has the potential one day [to manage Arsenal], yes.

“I’ve followed his managerial career. I think he does very well. But overall, after that, this Premier League is special, you know.

“There are plenty of former players who played here who have potential and the intelligence and the knowledge to do it. So, there’s plenty of choice, don’t worry for that.”

Arsenal are not thought to have identified a clear first-choice replacement at this stage, given Wenger still has just over a year of his current deal left to run, but Carlo Ancelotti, Max Allegri, Mikel Arteta and Leonardo Jardim are among the possible contenders.