ARSENAL legend Bob Wilson says Eddie Howe will “definitely be in the frame” to replace Arsene Wenger when the Frenchman calls time on his Gunners tenure.

Wenger has not yet agreed to extend a contract that expires at the end of this season.

And after leading the north London club to nine major trophies in his 20 years as boss, the 67-year-old will be a hard act to follow.

But Wilson believes Howe’s “extraordinary” body of work with Cherries proves he is equipped for the task of managing the 13-times English champions.

Wilson, who lives in Christchurch, told the Daily Echo: “Arsene has been at Arsenal for 20 years and what he’s done, and the manner in which he’s achieved it, has been remarkable. Even I sometimes look and think ‘who the hell could replace Arsene’.

“But Eddie would definitely be in the frame. I love the way Bournemouth play. It’s very Arsenal-like, they play in a similar style, so it’s to be hugely admired. The job Eddie has done is extraordinary.”

A double-winning goalkeeper with the Gunners in 1971, Wilson has no truck with the idea that Howe’s relatively tender years would count against him in the minds of Arsenal chiefs.

Indeed, such is the regard in which he holds Howe that Wilson cites the examples of two football greats to illustrate his case.

Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff were both 38 – the same age Cherries' manager is now – when they took charge of West Germany and Ajax, respectively.

“Age doesn’t mean anything,” said Wilson. “It doesn’t matter how old you are, it’s whether you’re good enough and whether you have that complete rapport with the players.

“It didn’t matter for Beckenbauer or Cruyff. Footballers can be notorious for pretending they’re listening, while thinking ‘this bloke hasn’t got a clue what he’s talking about’.

“Eddie Howe's players clearly believe in him.”

Wilson also noted Howe’s diplomatic reaction to the controversial refereeing calls that went against his side at Stoke. It is something he believed would have struck a chord in the Emirates boardroom.

“That would be expected at Arsenal,” said Wilson. “Arsenal as a board, as a club, would not like Jose Mourinho’s method of management. The post-match abuse and lack of respect. His lack of respect for Arsene Wenger… I’ll never forgive him for that.

“Arsenal, as a football club, are different in the way they try to do things. There’s a certain style.

“They have always tried to do things in a gentlemanly way. It’s a different way to many, many clubs.”

Howe's team play Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Sunday, having lost 2-0 on their only previous visit to the ground.

Wilson was a fascinated observer on that day in December and he is expecting another absorbing contest this weekend.

“Bournemouth weren’t scared by the Emirates,” he said. “They played their football, knocked the ball about. I admire that more than anything.

“I think it’ll be a great game because both sides play terrific football."