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shareholder Alisher Usmanov has suggested that manager Arsene Wenger
must be part of the process when choosing his own successor.
Wenger, who has been in charge of the Gunners for more than 20 years, has come under increasing pressure this season as the club has again not challenged for the Premier League title and were knocked out of the Champions League in the last 16.
The 67-year-old Frenchman's contract with the London club expires at the end of this campaign and neither the club or the manager as made any official announcement on his future.
A Russian billionaire who owns 30% of Arsenal, Usmanov admits that he has concerns about the results on pitch but says the club also needs continuity.
Usmanov told Bloomberg: "Some continuity is needed. This includes the need to prepare a successor for Wenger, but in a very respectful way.
"I can suggest that Wenger himself can prepare a successor."
He added: "I do not think that the coach alone is to be blamed for what is happening."
The Gunners wretched season hit a new low as Arsenal crashed to a humiliating 3-0 defeat at lowly Crystal Palace that leaves their top four bid in tatters.
Wenger has been under siege in recent weeks as angry Arsenal fans demanded his resignation and the calls for the Gunners boss to quit will grow even louder after one of the most chastening defeats of his 21-year reign.
