Arsenal deny approach made for Thomas Tuchel to replace Arsene Wenger

Arsenal have denied suggestions they have approached Thomas Tuchel to replace Arsene Wenger this summer.

The Gunners boss is facing increasing calls to leave the club following a disastrous run of form that has seen them fall to four league defeats in five games as well as crash of Europe after a 10-2 humbling by Bayern Munich.

Fans have protested against the Frenchman in increasing numbers in recent weeks with a small group of supporters even raising money to fly a plane complete with an anti-Wenger banner over the Hawthorns prior to the game with West Brom this weekend.

Reports in Germany overnight suggested the Gunners had turned to Borussia Dortmund manager Tuchel to take over this summer but the club have swiftly moved to deny such suggestions.

Wenger himself stressed that his decision is not contingent on qualifying for the Champions League with his side now six points behind fourth-placed Liverpool, albeit with two games in hand.

“I take a bigger perspective than that – it is not the last result that decides,” he said.

“It will not necessarily be linked with that. I’ve done the top four twenty times, it is not that.”

Wenger’s stance comes as Tony Pulis claimed he had told him he was staying on next season.

Pulis and his side condemned Wenger to another damaging defeat on Saturday but when asked afterwards the Baggies manager suggested he felt he would stay this summer.

"I'll be surprised if he goes," he said.

Asked why he thought that was he said: "Because he told me."