Patrick Vieira is a serious contender to return to Arsenal as manager.

The London club are looking for candidates to replace Arsene Wenger, who has endured a difficult season.

A Premier League top-four place is out of reach and victory in the Europa League, where Arsenal face favourites Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals, is the only path into the Champions League. There is growing disaffection among fans and the indications are that Wenger will step down after 22 years at the club.

Patrick Vieira is in the running to replace Arsene Wenger as Arsenal manager

Club legend Vieira played under Wenger for nine years and could now replace his compatriot

Legendary former midfielder Vieira, 41, is currently boss at New York City and could potentially have a long-term future with the City Football Group, who also own Manchester City.

His appointment would thrill many Arsenal fans. He won three Premier League titles and three FA Cups before moving to Juventus, Inter Milan and Manchester City where he won the FA Cup again in 2011.

He went into management and worked for two years at City in charge of the development squad, before taking the step into senior management in 2016 when he took over at New York City in the MLS.

There would be no need for mass changes to the Arsenal coaching staff if he returned to the club. Vieira already knows assistant manager Steve Bould and coaches Gerry Peyton, Neil Banfield and Jens Lehmann.

Wenger, though, will not be sacked even if Arsenal were to lose in the Europa League.

The 68-year-old signed a two-year contract to stay on at the Emirates after last season’s FA Cup win over Chelsea and any decision to leave will be his.

He has an excellent relationship with the club’s majority shareholder, American billionaire Stan Kroenke, and dismissal is out of the question.

Wenger and Vieira, pictured in 2004, won three league titles during their time together