I Don’t Know Who Would Take Over From Me - Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has claimed he is in the dark regarding speculation that Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe could one day replace him at the Emirates.


"Honestly I don't know who will take my job one day," Wenger said during his press conference on Friday ahead of Saturday's clash with Southampton.

 "These are questions that are impossible for me to answer. I wish the best to the guy that comes after me.”

Wenger loaned Jack Wilshere to Howe's Bournemouth but insists he expects the England midfielder to be a Gunner again next season.

The Arsenal boss added: "We had a chat and he himself was concerned he would not get enough competition. I couldn't guarantee that and it looked logical to give him time – the challenge is to play the games.

 "I hope personally that he stays his whole career here. He is a world-class player, doesn't have to show me his quality

“He’s most dangerous when he plays further forward.

“Sometimes it’s a shame that he plays so deep. I prefer him when he’s behind.”  

Wenger revealed that midfielder Aaron Ramsey is not ready to return from injury, while he is yet to see goalkeeper David Ospina and forward Alexis Sanchez since they returned from international duty.

Alex Iwobi has however returned to training.

Wenger added that new signings Lucas Perez and Shkodran Mustafi have settled in well but he has not decided if the pair will face Southampton.

 Wenger believes he now has a squad of grown men as opposed to inexperienced players.

" They are not 19/20-year-old players and the whole squad is quite mature," he said.

“It’s the first time for quite a while that I have a whole squad full of men ready to compete.”