Arsenal news: Gunners 'braced for Arsene Wenger fight' as FA target Sam Allardyce's England replacement

Wenger, in the final year of his contract at the Emirates Stadium, refused to deny the suggestion

(Getty Images)

Arsenal are braced for a fight to keep manager Arsene Wenger after the Football Association cut Sam Allardyce adrift for his role in a newspaper sting operation.

Allardyce left his “dream job” after just 67 days in charge of England amid allegations that the former Sunderland manager offered ways to “get around” strict FA regulations on third party ownership for a six-figure payment from a fictitious Far East consultancy firm.

Wenger, in the final year of his contract at the Emirates Stadium, refused to deny the suggestion he would be interested in the post following Arsenal’s win against Basel in the Champions League, saying: “The English game is always full of surprises.”

It was reported during the summer that the FA had highlighted the Frenchman as a long-term target with plans drawn up to hire Gareth Southgate, currently the caretaker manager, as Roy Hodgson’s successor before making a move for Wenger next summer.

But Allardyce’s availability and willingness to take a lower payment package than his predecessor eventually won out while Wenger informed the FA that he would be unwilling to break his contract with the north London side.

The 66-year-old is yet to agree another contract extension at Arsenal and the Evening Standard report that fears are beginning to grow amid the club’s hierarchy that their manager may be tempted by any offered made to him by the FA.

Southgate’s appointment as cover is considered a mere stopgap until a more experienced option presents itself.

The FA are also fully aware that, following the friendly against Spain on 15 November, England won’t play for four months – making the option of waiting until Wenger’s contract elapses more attractive.