Dermot Desmond wouldn’t stand in Brendan Rodgers’ way if he wanted to take Arsenal job

Arsene Wenger is to step down as Arsenal manager at the end of the season, bringing to an end his 22-year stint at the club.

Already, speculation is rife as to who will replace the 68-year-old, with a host of names being linked to the position. One of the names in the frame is Brendan Rodgers, who is nearing the end of his second season at Celtic. The former Liverpool boss has won plenty of plaudits since his move to Glasgow, with some suggesting the style of football he has implemented at the Scottish champions makes him a good fit to take charge at Arsenal. With the odds on him making the move to North London tumbling, Celtic majority shareholder Dermot Desmond has seemingly opened the door for Rodgers to leave Parkhead. Speaking to Sky Sports News, Desmond said: "He's an outstanding person and we wouldn't want him to leave but we can't force anyone to stay. "Hopefully his love for the club and the setup there will induce him to stay." Asked if he would allow Rodgers to speak to Arsenal if they were to come calling, he replied: "Absolutely... it will be Brendan's decision [to leave] and Brendan's decision only." Despite the increasing feeling that Rodgers may be one of the early frontrunners for the Arsenal job, it was Carlo Ancelotti, who has been out of work since leaving Bayern Munich earlier in the season, who was initially seen as the bookies' favourite.