---
title: "Why the time is right for Arsene Wenger to step aside"
canonical: "https://readarsenal.com/2016/10/18/time-right-arsene-wenger-step-aside/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Brian Gosden"
section: "Articles"
published: "2016-10-18T14:10:33Z"
modified: "2016-10-18T14:10:33Z"
---

# Why the time is right for Arsene Wenger to step aside

Dean Smith of [**bettingpro.com**](https://www.bettingpro.com/) takes a look at why Arsenal should look to head in a different direction in 2017 when Arsene Wenger’s contract expires at the Emirates Stadium. Has a manager ever split a fanbase of a top club like Arsene Wenger has done at Arsenal in recent years? On one side of the argument, you have the supporters who believe that Wenger deserves some loyalty from the club, given all he has achieved in terms of trophies, development of the youth system and helping guide them into a new stadium. It’s a compelling argument.

On the other hand, you find a group of supporters who believe the club are underachieving under Wenger having now gone so long without winning a Premier League title. These fans have been left quite rightly frustrated by Wenger’s apparent refusal to address clear problems within the squad and at times apparent penny-pinching, refusing to pay big money to sign the quality players the Arsenal squad needs.

![Craig Prentis/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/1735028.jpg)

Although they finished second in the Premier League last year, the fact that Leicester City were the champions and the Gunners’ North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur were in third place says enough about the quality of the season.

With Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea all struggling for form, the title should’ve been Arsenal’s for the taking, but the same problems let them down once again. How much longer will star players at the Emirates put up with this constant promise with so little being delivered?

Can Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil really continue through their prime years playing for a club seemingly incapable of winning a league title? Can they continue to play for a club that haven’t progressed past the Round of 16 in the Champions League for seven years now? Opportunities have been and gone for [Arsenal](https://www.arsenal.com/home).

![David Ramos/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/610935708.jpg)

The likes of Jurgen Klopp and Carlo Ancelotti could possibly have been tempted to the Emirates Stadium when they were out of a job, but instead the club opted to stick with Wenger and in turn, it appears that they have stagnated somewhat. Few can doubt what Arsene Wenger has achieved as a manager at Arsenal Football Club. The ‘brand’ of football he has instilled coupled with the new stadium, will leave a legacy at the club for many years.

But for a club Arsenal’s size to go 13 years without winning a trophy, with countless missed opportunities both in terms of adding trophies and adding top class players along the way, is unacceptable – legacy or no legacy. Fresh ideas will rejuvenate a club that have the potential to be one of the biggest and best in the world. The right manager would be able to get this club competing on the domestic and continental stage with a few additions in key positions. Surely now, it’s time for a change at Arsenal FC.