Is it the time for Arsene Wenger to leave Arsenal?

Arsene Wenger with the FA Cup trophy

Last week, the gunners pulled off an incredible victory over Hull City in the final of the FA Cup. They ended an 9 year title drought. The gunners showed plenty of character to come back from two first half goals to eventually win the tie. The Londoners did definitely deserve the title. No two ways about that. But, after all the confetti has been cleared and the champagne run out, should the Arsenal board make the change and say bye-bye to Monsieur Wenger?

The Gunners aren’t the same since the 03/04 season where they went on to win the Premiership. But that squad had the likes of Bergkamp, Henry, Pires, Viera, Cole, who were all in their prime. A lot has changed since then. Arsene has adopted for a more youthful set up, a set up which hasn’t won him many accolades in the recent past. The fans, themselves are divided; some think it’s time for him to leave, some think he needs to stay. Wengers stubborn attitude towards signing high profile players has made him a disliked personality at times. The stubbornness was at the peak when he made a last minute ditch to sign Podolski and Mertesacker. They really needed a defensive cover for Vermaelen and Koscienly who were leaking goals. He also needed a forward to add some steam to his forward line which till date hasn’t fired at all. He’s gone through players like Bendtner, Gervinho and now Giroud who has not fit top form since his Montpellier days.

Maybe, Arsenal should take a leaf out of their fierce rivals – Manchester United books. Fergie’s time was up, he won a trophy with a side that wasn’t really championship material. But that’s something we can look at later. Fergie put the club first, he opted out, he knew it was time and chose ‘the Chosen one’ David Moyes to replace him. If we take United’s example, they are a club in transition. But Arsenal is still struggling to qualify for the Champions league. No doubt they’ve consistent in qualifying for the biggest tournament in Europe, but for a club like Arsenal, merely a 4th or 3rd place finish in the EPL isn’t enough. The club needs silverware. They need to be in the big matches at the end of the season, fighting for all kind of honours.

The gunners spent 128 days at the top of the EPL this season, but they still managed to finish 4th, a position which wasn’t secure, until two week before the end of the season. Arsene Wenger blames injuries. Fine, all clubs face this problem. But the time a Arsenal player takes to recover from an injury is ridiculous. Take the example of one such Gunner, Abou Diaby. He’s been in and out of the training room since the past few seasons. Doesn’t a club like Arsenal have enough financial resources to buy the best players around the world? Or is it Arsene Wenger’s stubbornness to flesh out the big bucks?

After 17 odd seasons at the club, I feel it’s time for this great French football manager to bid adieu to the club. He came into a setup and within a few seasons made Arsenal one of the top clubs in England. His training exercises and diet regime will go down as case studies. But that’s the thing, a lot has changed since then, his kind of functioning isn’t winning the club any accolades. The club needs an injection of young blood to take the club further.

In all likely hood the chances of Arsene staying back is more since he’s won the FA cup a week ago. He may have just got himself a lifeline, but for how much longer? Can an Arsenal fan bare to see his side play awesome football for most parts of the year and still end the season with no trophy in their cabinet?