5 Arsenal legends that could potentially replace Arsene Wenger - are they worthy candidates?

There is no disgrace in losing 3-0 to Pep Guardiola's formidable Manchester City side twice in a week. But when the performances lack pride and passion, it reflects on the manager as much as the players. A change at the top for Arsenal is now increasingly inevitable as Arsene Wenger's time in charge becomes untenable.

Despite the sparse crowd at a freezing Emirates Stadium on Thursday night, the negative reaction from the supporters that remained until the final whistle was still clear, and having failed to inspire a positive reaction from his players following Sunday's Carabao Cup final defeat, Wenger's two decade tenure will soon come to an end.

Arsenal have slipped down the natural order of Premier League hierarchy in recent years. The team have become stale under Wenger, and while recent creative additions to the attack in Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have offered a semblance of encouragement, it was the departure of Alexis Sánchez that said more about the state of the club at the present time.

Arsenal are a huge club that has the resource available to challenge for honours both domestically and in Europe. Wenger continues to hold the club back, and while his contribution to both the club and English football since his arrival in 1996 is immeasurable, his legacy is in danger of being irreversibly scarred unless he concedes that his time is now over.

Speculation over his successor has been a popular topic of debate over the last few years, and with each passing season of disappointment, the merits of potential candidates continues to put pressure on the manager.

He dismisses such reports with an arrogance that serves only to confirm his untouchable status, and it is a characteristic that has become ultimately responsible for his failure.

A club steeped in history and success, a number of legendary players have made their name at the club under Wenger, and a number of them are now very much in contention to replace the man that helped make them great. The fans are in desperate need of a lift, so lets take a closer look at five Arsenal legends who could offer hope in these times of trouble.

#5 Dennis Bergkamp

Dennis Bergkamp recently returned to Ajax to develop his coaching career

A creative genius, Dennis Bergkamp was the inspiration behind a new era of success for Arsenal under Wenger, even though he actually joined the club prior to the Frenchman's arrival. Until recently, Bergkamp was back where it all began for him as the assistant manager at Ajax Amsterdam, and his coaching career is now ready to move on to the next level.

Considered as one of the all-time greats at Arsenal, Bergkamp at his best was simply unplayable. The catalyst to some of the best football every witnessed at Highbury, the Dutchman was an untouchable force in the Arsenal attack.

Wenger helped bring the very best out of him, and his status at the club will always be held in high-esteem for all that he produced and achieved with the Gunners.

But as a character, Bergkamp could struggle to take over the club at such a testing time. It is not in his nature to take control of difficult situations in the same way as Vieira, and while he has plenty to offer as a coach, questions remain over his ability to actually manage.

In the modern game, the role of coach is very different to that of manager, and Bergkamp appears a figure destined to continue as the former. His status at the club will not change for all that he achieved as a player, but he does not suit this job, at least not at this time.

His reputation would not be affected if he failed, the damage at the club has already been done. A smaller club with lower expectations would suit Bergkamp for his first management position, and that is the exact opposite to Arsenal at this time.

#4 Freddie Ljungberg

Freddie Ljungberg was a popular figure during his time at Arsenal

Something of a left-field option but certainly one worth discussing is former Sweden star Freddie Ljunberg. A nomadic playing career took him around the world, but it was at Arsenal that he made his name, and he remains a popular figure at the Emirates Stadium for his contribution to the cause.

Although Ljungberg created something of an unfair reputation for himself as he combined his playing career with modelling shoots, and he is remembered more by the casual observer for his hair rather than his feet, But Ljungberg has worked at developing a coaching career for himself since his retirement, and was recently assistant manager at VfL Wolfsburg.

Is Ljungberg ready for the immense task of replacing Wenger at Arsenal? Basically, no.

But he is a figure that could have a role to play alongside the Frenchman's successor as he looks to make his mark in management. He has also worked within the academy at the club and would have an immediate connection with the young players coming through the ranks.

Although Ljungberg is an unlikely and uninspiring choice, he represents an alternative thought process for those responsible for making the final decision on who will replace Wenger.

Many players have come through the ranks at the club under Wenger with varying levels of success, and many are now developing their own career in coaching. Maybe an alternative option is just what the club need for what will be a very new and different era.

#3 Jens Lehmann

Jens Lehmann was a key figure for Arsenal under Arsene Wenger

Few top-level goalkeepers make it in management. It is a strange situation but one that has been proven time and time again. There are exceptions to the rule, and if any goalkeeper is to make a real success of a career in management, then the stern German shot-stopper appears to have all the necessary credentials to do so.

Currently working alongside Wenger and his coaching staff, it would be easy to suggest that Lehmann is part of the wider problem, and any change should result in a complete change.

However, Lehmann would ensure an element of continuity for the players as they adapt to change, and as a younger figure he would be seen as someone far more relevant than Wenger to the players in the squad.

Lehmann is keen to build a career for himself in coaching, and I had the pleasure of sitting down with him a couple of years ago as he completed his coaching badges to discuss his hopes and ambitions for the future. Lehmann has a clear vision on how the game should be played, and with the right opportunity, he could defy the odds and become a success.

However, the appointment of Lehmann would be considered to be largely underwhelming by the Arsenal faithful, and he would be up against it from the start. He would have the character to handle the criticism and pressure, but his close relationship with Wenger would immediately put him in a difficult position.

#2 Thierry Henry

Thierry Henry would be an incredibly popular choice to replace Arsene Wenger

Through his role as a television pundit, Henry has been obliged to offer his opinion on Arsenal in recent years, and his passion for the club has brought an inevitable negativity as they continue to fall from grace. He could never refuse the job if it was offered to him, and as the club's all-time leading goalscorer, his presence would command instant respect.

Henry has expressed a desire to move into coaching and management, and is currently working alongside Roberto Martinez with the talented Belgian national team. An incredible striker who achieved unparalleled success for club and country during his playing career, he represents the ideal figure to bring optimism back to a club in desperate of a new start.

But as a manager, Henry is unproven, and it would be in his own benefit to work alongside a more experienced club manager before taking such a job. This may be his one and only chance to manage the club he loves, and he needs to ensure he is in the best position to do so when it comes along.

Failing at Arsenal through a lack of experience would be a matter of great personal regret. In addition, while his passion for the club should be seen as a positive, it could also work against him as he finds his feet in management.

Henry is a figure who knows nothing but success, but he will need a clear and calculated head to emulate his success in management. Passion can lead to emotional and irrational decisions, and while Henry would be the romantic's choice, he may not be the most sensible option at the present time.

#1 Patrick Vieira

Patrick Vieira is currently building his coaching career at New York City

The powerful midfield enforcer remains a hugely-popular figure at Arsenal for the role he played in their most successful era, but it is Manchester City that have invested in his coaching talents recently, and they will not appreciate developing him for the benefit of a Premier League rival.

Currently manager at New York City, he remains a likely successor to Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium. But turning down an approach from Arsenal would be difficult for Vieira, and he represents the right sort of strong character required to take control of the club at the present time.

As a player, Vieira represented clubs at the highest-level in England and Italy, while his international success with France is enough to confirm his credentials for the job.

Vieira is preparing for a future in management the right way, and while the standard of Major League Soccer does not compare with that of the Premier League, his playing experience will enable him to adapt to a different environment.

He has the club at heart, but at a different emotional level to that of Henry, and he would be a calculated choice to replace his former manager. The characteristics of Vieira the player would also work in his favour with Arsenal at the present time. The club need a strong figure to take charge and reverse a desperate situation.

Vieira is a natural leader in the face of adversity, and his battles with the likes of Roy Keane show that he has the personality to face the biggest challenges without fear.