Arsenal are preparing to make a clean break with Arsene Wenger rather than move him upstairs immediately.

Writing in the Telegraph on Tuesday, Matt Law and Jeremy Wilson reveal that the club are not planning on integrating Wenger in an off-field capacity when he finally leaves his post of manager, and this would fit with what the Frenchman himself wants.

daily telegraph wenger role 27 feb 2018
Daily Telegraph 27 February 2018

He has reportedly told friends that he will manage at another club if and when he leaves Arsenal and there would surely be no shortage of suitors for a manager who has more than proven his worth at the top level over two decades.

The club, however, are planning to bring him back in some capacity in the future, write Wilson and Law, although they don’t specify what that role could be.

Perhaps Wenger would return as a named Director of Football rather than whatever it is they are calling Raul Sanllehi’s position at present.

What is clear is that the club have been briefing the press about the search for a new manager in the wake of the latest shambles, this time at Wembley – Arsene Wenger’s saving grace until this season.

A series of articles detailing the same managerial names appeared across a number of unrelated mainstream media publications, a clear indication that the club were trying to speak to fans ahead of what is likely to be a difficult evening at the Emirates on Thursday when City roll back into town.