Former Chelsea No. 2 Paul Clement In Line To Replace Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger--Report

Former Chelsea no. 2 and Real Madrid assistant boss Paul Clement is the leading candidate to replace Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, when he eventually decides to walk away from his club. Wenger still has two and a half years before his contract expires, but rumours suggest that he will walk away at the end of the season if the Gunners end up without a trophy and miss out a top four place.

The AS reported earlier that Arsene Wenger is set to leave his club at the end of the season and Clement is groomed to take over. According to The Sun, the 42-year-old is the name being considered by the Arsenal board to replace Wenger. Clement has been the right-hand man of Carlo Ancellotti during his successful spells at Stamford Bridge, Madrid and Paris Saint Germain, and he has been regarded as one of the best coaches in football.

The Gunners' start in the Premier League was not its best, and the club currently sits fifth in the division following its victory over Sunderland on Saturday. Furthermore, although Wenger has been quite successful with Arsenal, the club's FA win last season was its first silverware since 2005.

On his 65th birthday, Wenger expressed his continued motivation to do well in Arsenal. "I honestly feel more motivated--more than ever," the Arsenal boss claimed as quoted by the Daily Mirror. Wenger further claimed that he is lucky to be in shape, and his motivation and desire is stronger more than ever. He reiterated that he feels the huge potential of the club and he is pretty keen to do well next season.

That being said, it appears that Wenger is still eager to hold his position, and the report is yet to be officially confirmed. Meanwhile, although Clement has never held the position at any club before, his pedigree working with the top players during his time in Spain and France will be enticing for the Gunners.