Wenger is no longer the right manager to lead Arsenal

 

As the fallout at the Emirates goes nuclear, Christian Crowther suggests that Arsenal should turn their attentions towards a new manager...

 

First they got knocked out of the League Cup by Bradford, then the FA Cup by Blackburn and now, notwithstanding miracles, the Champions League by Bayern Munich.

 

February is not yet finished and already Arsenal's season has reached the point of Armageddon, a feeling now all too familiar to Gooners.

 

Naturally, the knives are out for Arsenal's leader but is this really the season that Arsene Wenger's 16-year-plus tenure at the London club should end? If so, who could do a better job?

 

At the moment, Wenger stubbornly clings on to the reigns but the market has the Frenchman available at 2.52 not to be in charge at the Emirates when the next season kicks off.

 

The case for Wenger's defence lies, as it usually does, in the Gunners reaching fourth place in the Premier League, though this is far from guaranteed this season with Arsenal trailing arch rivals Tottenham by four points at present.

 

However, where Champions League qualification has saved Wenger in every one of his past seven trophyless campaigns, what does it really matter if this Arsenal side is further away than ever from actually winning it?

 

Success should be defined by silverware, the very reason that Wenger has become such an integral part of Arsenal history, after delivering the title in his first full season before going on to pick up two more.

 

Those fans, still staring through Wenger-tinted spectacles at his past achievements, have to wake up and realise the Frenchman is not only no nearer to landing a trophy but, if anything, he's taking the team's development backwards.

 

Some people are quick to blame the club's hierarchy and budget restraints placed over him, though this is a manager who has spent the majority of the money recouped from sales - around £100 million - in the past four transfer windows.

 

Even those followers of the game not blessed with a quarter of Wenger's intelligence can see that he has failed to properly bolster the spine of his team, by neglecting to purchase an uncompromising defensive midfielder at the very least.

 

He's also spent questionably on players such as Andre Santos, Gervinho and Sebastien Squillaci.

 

Wenger does of course deserve huge respect for his past glories, but eight years without a trophy is too long for a club of Arsenal's stature.

 

The writing is on the wall for this season but, rather than rush into replacing Wenger now and risking insulting him, the board should spend their energies for the remainder of the campaign in lining up a replacement.

 

Who that person may be, is harder to answer. Someone young, with fresh ideas on the game would probably serve best though.

 

If he could be persuaded to leave Borussia Dortmund then Jurgen Klopp would make an excellent candidate.

 

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