The odds on Arsene Wenger to leave Arsenal at the end of the season has been slashed drastically as the 67-year-old appears to be closer to the exit door and the reasons are no longer far-fetched.
The fans among others want the French boss replaced in the summer and recent happenings around the club have made it more pronounced. The Emirates outfits conceded 13 goals in their last four matches while scoring just three except for the 5-0 thrashing of Lincoln in the FA Cup which doesn’t seem to impress the fans.
A change is needed and must be effected to get the Gunners back on track as qualification for next season Champions League looks bleak and there is no assurance of any silverware for the club that was once among favourites to clinch the league.
However, the clamour has always been for the removal of Wenger but the fact remains that some players have to be dropped too. Some of the players are performing well below expectations and what a club like Arsenal need is not a one-match show players.
The new coach, probably coming in for next season needs to borrow a leave from Chelsea’s boss Antonio Conte. At Chelsea the Italian coach dropped the likes of John Terry, Branslac Ivanovic, Oscar and Cesc Fabregas while players like Diego Costa, Eden Hazard and the much maligned Victor Moses were revitalized as well as signing N’Golo Kante and David Luiz and the turnaround they have witnessed has justified Conte’s actions and tactical prowess.
From the attack to the defence, there is need for improvement. Nine of the goals conceded by Arsenal against Bayern Munich came after Laurent Koscienly left the pitch, a glaring indication that the Gunners defence is in disarray without him.
Alexis Sanchez has been responsible for most of Arsenal’s goals (26) this season, both Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott have netted some vital goals but they lack the consistency required of a top club.
The midfield too needs to be bolstered. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey, Francis Coquelin and even summer signing Granit Xhaka have all struggled for form and have not lived up to expectations.
The change should involve the players too.
Is Wenger really leaving?