Manager rumours. It has come to this

Media driven as the hunt may be, a lot of Arsenal supporters are unimpressed with Arsène Wenger's continued reign as manager of the club. Past trophies and achievements are obviously long forgotten after a limp Cup exit and a slump in League form.

Three months ago, after a 6-1 thumping of Southampton, a win away in the Champions League and a credible draw at Manchester City, this very Arsenal side was lauded as the best for years. But even though class is permanent, form is still as temporary as the cold winter winds.

There are sensible voices in the media trying to quell the unrest. Even those who aren't usually sympathetic towards Arsenal take to arms on Wenger's behalf. Among them are BBC pundit Alan Hansen in the Daily Telegraph and former Manchester United stalwart Gary Neville in the Mail on Sunday.

In today's Mirror, Hansen's BBC colleague Mark Lawrenson joins in. He admits that Wenger has a responsibility for signing players who won't stand up and be counted, but kind of ruins that argument with pining for Alex Song to be back in the side. Times are strange when Arsenal's perhaps most inconsistent player of the last decade is hailed as a lost, calming influence in the team.

Patrick Collins of the Mail on Sunday sadly can't resist patronising Wenger's detractors, but is adamant that the Arsenal manager possesses qualities that can't be replaced by any unemployed manager in English football today:

The consistency is staggering, the achievement extraordinary, especially when we reflect that he has also effectively built a glorious stadium and encouraged his sides to produce some of the most enthralling football the modern British game has seen.

Anyway, who would be fit to take over? Papers wouldn't be papers if they hadn't had names with shich to speculate and throw around.

Another beleaguered manager, Carlo Ancelotti of Paris Saint-Germain, has been reported by the Daily Telegraph to fancy another job in London. He is said to be a huge admirer of Arsenal, presumably not of Arsène Wenger alone.

The inevitable Pep Guardiola pops up in any decent banter bonanza about the position of Arsenal's manager. The most intensely followed sabbatical in European football history (it seems) is suggested to end with the former Barcelona manager replacing Wenger either this summer or he next. The not-so-reliable website goal.com has been widely quoted about Arsenal being Guardiola's preferred new job, no less.

Finally, last Saturday the Independent identified Rémi Garde of Olympique Lyonnais as Wenger's replacement. Or heir, if you like. It would border on poetry: Garde was the first player Arsenal signed on Wenger's recommendation, just hours before Patrick Vieira. Though rarely used, either because of injury or a percieved struggle with Premier League pace, Garde was an influence in the dressing room and Arsenal captain on several occasions. At Lyon, he's forged himself a career rung by rung on the hierarchic ladder. 18 months ago, he was finally made head coach.

But the current incumbent isn't likely to leave the manager's job at the Emirates anytime soon. Arsène Wenger intends to honor his contract, which runs out in 18 months.