Arsène Wenger believes he is “coming to the end” of his time at Arsenal, according to Ian Wright.
The radio and TV pundit was speaking on BBC Radio 5 live after meeting the manager on Thursday night and now believes Wenger is ready to end his 20-year Arsenal career. Wright, who scored 185 goals in 288 appearances for Arsenal, said: “He didn’t say to me: ‘I’m leaving at the end of the season’ but … I just get the impression in him and looking at him that’s it. I think that’s it. He actually mentioned when we were talking that he’s coming to the end. I’ve never heard him say that.
“He looked winded, like someone has whopped him in the stomach. Do I feel he will go at the end of the season? I think he will. The players have let him down badly. If he does leave at the end of the season, there will be a lot of changes.
“They should have a long, hard look at themselves. He has been so faithful to his team. It has been misplaced.”
Despite securing Champions League qualification for Arsenal in each of the past 19 seasons, Wenger has been subjected to vitriol from supporters and an online campaign from the celebrity football fan Piers Morgan regarding the club’s lack of silverware in recent times. Arsenal last won the Premier League title in 2004. Following defeats to Watford and Chelsea, Arsenal trail the Premier League leaders by 12 points and, before Saturday home game with Hull City, Wenger was once again forced to defend his managerial style.
He said: “I’ve been in the job for 34 years at the top level. You [the media] perceive what you want but I think we have brought more players out than everybody else. Look at the careers of the players when they’ve left us, I think we are one of the clubs that develop players well and gets the best out of them.”
Wenger also called for unity and the end of a scapegoat culture which is seemingly eroding the confidence of his players.
“The team wins and the team loses. When you win sometimes some players are singled out as they are treated like exceptional players. When you don’t do well, sometimes just focus on a little bit more of the team aspect and not try to blame each other. Because the blame culture is part of people’s perception, but what is important is that we are united,” he said. “We have a good opportunity to show that we are a united strong unit and that we bounce back. When you don’t win you cannot say that all is well. You have to analyse that something is not right. It is our job to find where and to have a strong united response.”
