Football
ESPN staff 8y

Arsene Wenger should be sacked if Leicester or Spurs win Prem - Merson

Paul Merson has called for Arsene Wenger's sacking should either Leicester or Tottenham beat Arsenal to the Premier League title this season, and insisted there's "a thousand" managers capable of getting the Gunners into the top four.

Arsenal currently sit third in the league table, five points behind leaders Leicester and three points behind second-placed Tottenham, after suffering a disappointing 3-2 defeat at injury-hit Manchester United on Sunday.

Arsenal haven't tasted Prem glory since 2004, and Merson has demanded the Frenchman's ouster if they fail at the feet of their less-affluent rivals.

"If Man City don't win the league and Tottenham or Leicester do then Arsene Wenger has to go," Merson, a former Arsenal star, told Sky Sports on Monday.

"If you're sitting there telling those fans -- loyal Arsenal fans -- that they don't need any new players at the start of the season and then you don't win the league in front of Leicester or Tottenham then I don't see how you can justify it."

Merson added that an exception must be made if super-rich Manchester City win the title for a third time in five seasons.

"If Man City win the league he can turn around and say 'they've got all the money in the world and can go and buy whoever they want, so would whoever I bought have made much difference?'

"But if Leicester or Tottenham win the league after he said they didn't need any players then I don't see how he can keep his job."

Merson refuted any idea that Wenger is singular in his ability to keep Arsenal in the top four.

"People may say there's nobody better than him, but there's a thousand managers who could come in and get Arsenal in the top four.

"A thousand managers would come to Arsenal and say 'don't give me a penny, but if I get Arsenal in the top four then pay me 10 million quid.'

"Every football manager in the world would take that deal. Arsenal are always going to get in the top four.

"If Leicester or Tottenham win the title then I just don't see how he can keep his job."

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