Euro shocker could lead to Emirates exodus

By Dan Childs 8:43PM 16 FEB 2012

ARSENE WENGER has admitted there is no realistic chance of Arsenal recovering from the 4-0 mauling they endured at the San Siro on Wednesday night – Arsenal are 33-1 with bet365 to advance to the last eight – and the Gunners manager is 8-11 to start next season at the Emirates.

And whoever holds the Arsenal reins may struggle to convince star striker Robin van Persie to stay with the Gunners beyond next summer.

The Dutchman cut a disconsolate figure during the San Siro debacle and bet365 quote 4-11 about him leaving before the end of the transfer window and 2-1 about him staying.

There are no obvious candidates to fill Wenger’s shoes. Hills installed Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola as the 7-1 favourite while Lyon manager Remi Garde, who had a three-year spell as a Gunners player in the late 1990s, is a 10-1 shot.

Boylesports have paid out on Milan qualifying for the quarter-finals.

Wenger has steered Arsenal into the Champions League for 14 successive seasons and the pressure is on.

Arsenal climbed into fourth after winning 2-1 at Sunderland last Saturday but they are 6-4 for a top-four finish, while fifth-placed Chelsea are 11-10.

The Black Cats are 2-1 to eliminate the Gunners from the FA Cup tomorrow at the Stadium of Light and condemn them to a seventh consecutive trophyless campaign.