Manuel Pellegrini is a man under pressure following West Ham United's 3-1 loss at the hands of Arsenal on Monday.

The Irons looked bright for 60 minutes and were good value for their lead after Angelo Ogbonna guided the ball home via a deflection. However, they caved under huge pressure from the Gunners in a rampant nine-minute spell where Arsenal scored three.

It has been suggested by ExWHUemployee that the Chilean could be dismissed from his role if West Ham lose against Southampton on Saturday. The Hammers have won just once in his last ten games in all competitions.

There have already been various replacements being touted to replace him, with names on the shortlist including Eddie Howe and David Moyes.

Moyes has been out of management since taking charge of West Ham initially while Howe is currently at Bournemouth.

With all of this in mind, FFC writers have been giving their opinions on whether or not Pellegrini deserves to be sacked as West Ham manager.

Lewis Blain

"There's no hiding that West Ham have been struggling this campaign. But should Manuel Pellegrini be sacked as a result? Absolutely not. There has to be some perspective applied with such a decision here.

"The Hammers have had a very tough schedule as of late - Spurs who had Jose Mourinho in charge for the first time, Chelsea who they actually beat, Wolves and Arsenal. That's four of last season's top seven. Burnley at Turf Moor is never easy and even Sheffield United, who are still buoyed by their promotion.

"Some of the burden must fall on the players too. They are simply letting him down. Sebastien Haller has failed to live up to his hype. Pablo Fornals isn't anonymous to that either. The 66-year-old has also had to suffer some injuries in key positions like in goal. Pellegrini is a Premier League winner. What have David Moyes or Eddie Howe won in the top-flight? Zilch."

Billy Meyers

"I think Manuel Pellegrini should definitely get sacked if West Ham lose to Southampton - a side who have conceded the most goals in the Premier League this season with 35 concessions to their name.

"The former Manchester City boss is looking bereft of ideas at the London Stadium, with the Hammers sinking fast.

"One questions what the Chilean's long-term ambitions with West Ham are - is he really going to be the man to oversee a successful period for the club during a period of stability?

"It very much feels as if the 66-year-old is just going through the motions in east London, and given the fact that he has rarely been one to battle against relegation - at all, let alone successfully - I feel like the time is now for David Gold and David Sullivan to identify someone who can breathe new life into the football club.

"As things stand, the Irons are looking stale."

Jonathan Radcliffe

"It isn't much of a surprise to hear that Pellegrini's job is under threat. After all, one win in the last ten - albeit against Chelsea - is terrible form for a team that spent £71.73m during the summer. To be honest, it only seems a matter of time before he is let go.

"West Ham continue to struggle to find the right man for the job at the London Stadium, but that man isn't Pellegrini. At the age of 66, he is not going to be in football for too much longer, and the Hammers are crying out for a young manager with a plan to make use of the clearly talented players they have. Someone like Eddie Howe, perhaps?"

A football legend: How much do you know about the late, great Bobby Moore? Test your knowledge below...

Danny Lewis

"I've tried to stay with Pellegrini, but I am beginning to reach the point where the club would be better off just letting him go. There is a real feeling of toxicity towards him from sections of the fanbase, while he also looked like a man on the edge following the Arsenal loss.

"Speaking of that defeat, it is how quickly it fell apart that has changed my mind. There was such a fragility on display from the moment Gabriel Martinelli grabbed the equaliser that it immediately felt inevitable that the team would go on to lose.

"There is a game against Leicester in the middle of their upcoming spell, but that is sandwiched by matches versus Southampton and Crystal Palace, then AFC Bournemouth, Sheffield United and Everton. Points simply must be picked up during this spell and it is difficult seeing that happen under Pellegrini.

"Pellegrini using Roberto for a long period of time can be seen as a reason for some of the losses in the current poor run, but his decision to play the Spaniard, with David Martin's performances showing he should have made the change far sooner."

In other news, West Ham are stalling on a transfer move due to uncertainty around senior figures.