You couldn’t blame Arsenal fans for simply ignoring all media speculation about Arsene Wenger’s future.
There was enough of it last season – when the Frenchman’s was contract expiring and he was failing to finish in the top four for the first time in decade – and yet it still came to nothing.
This season, his contract isn’t even expiring, and he has just been backed to an unprecedented financial level in the transfer market.
So history, common sense and a feeling at the pit of our soul tell us that Wenger’s place at the top is as secure as Vladimir Putin’s. Yet the Mirror is telling us the complete opposite.
According to the tabloid, the Emirates powers-that-be have not just lost patience with Arsene; they have taken an active dislike to him.
Gossip: Luis Enrique ‘to take huge pay cut to join Chelsea’ and more
Giggs wants Ramsey future resolved
Why everyone is replaceable in Liverpool’s flexible system
“Frozen out!”, the paper exclaims, in a witty reference to the Putin-esque weather we’ve been having lately, and reveals that the Gunners players and board have “turned against” the long-serving manager.
A number of players are said to have “lost faith” in Wenger’s abilities and fear they are “slipping behind tactically”.
As a result, it now looks “increasingly likely” that Wenger will leave the Emirates in the summer and the board will “review his position” at the end of the season.
And yes, you did read that sentence word-for-word this time last year too.
Wenger, naturally, can’t understand what all the fuss is about and claims to be “amazed” that this speculation has reared its head again.
Gunners target Nagelsmann
So he will be even more perplexed when he reads the Star (which he does, every day) as it goes a step further than the Mirror and identifies Wenger’s replacement.
It’s Julian Nagelsmann.
The hugely reliable red top “exclusively” reveals that the 30-year-old Hoffenheim coach is being “eyed” by the Gunners as the club’s next manager because his “football philosophy is seen as an ideal match for Arsenal”.
By that they presumably mean passing it around nicely outside the penalty area while not troubling the top teams. He’s perfect!
After scandals, sackings and sexist rows – England Women are back to action
Arsenal’s operating profits fall by more than 60 per cent” data-reactid=”46″>READ MORE: Pep Guardiola tells Yaya Toure- Man City return is up to you
READ MORE: Arsenal’s operating profits fall by more than 60 per cent
Meanwhile, former Barcelona president Joan Laporta has done an exclusive interview with the Telegraph in which he “urges” the Gunners to appoint Thierry Henry as their next boss.
Laporta draws a parallel with the time he appointed the untested Pep Guardiola as Barca manager back in 2008.
Bet Laporta is always banging on the time about appointed the untested Pep Guardiola as Barca manager back in 2008. OK Joan, it was a good decision by you – we know.
Elsewhere, in news that is not about Arsene Wenger, Manchester United are “favourites” to sign Chelsea midfielder Willian at the end of the season (Star), Liverpool are competing with Barcelona to sign Lyon’s “multifaceted teenager” (whatever that is) Houssem Aouar (Goal) and West Ham are ready to sign West Brom centre-back Jonny Evans for £3m at the end of the season – the cut-price deal being part of a relegation clause in his contract (Birmingham Mail). He could have been winning the league with Man City next month, and now he’s getting relegated and going to West Ham. Sad times.