Arsenal Could See Short-Term Pain After Wenger's Reign Concludes

The soccer world may be wondering who will replace Arsenal’s legendary manager Arsene Wenger when he steps down at the end of the season. But first the team could use a good accountant.

Arsenal Football Club, which has gone more than 100 years without being relegated from top-flight English football, may see its short-term financial performance become more volatile than its results on the pitch while it searches for Wenger’s successor, according to Fitch Ratings. Over the long-term, the ratings agency expects a neutral to positive performance by the London-based club, as Arsenal is likely to replace the longtime coach, who managed more Premier League matches than anyone in history and won the league three times, with an experienced manager.