‘Now is the Wright time for Wenger to depart’

LONDON: Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright has launched a scathing attack on the club’s manager Arsene Wenger, saying he could not make a case for the Frenchman to extend his reign beyond this season.

Arsenal lie 27 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City in sixth position and were beaten 3-0 by Pep Guardiola’s side in Sunday’s League Cup final, leaving the Europa League as their only realistic trophy target following an early FA Cup exit.

Wright, who played 213 games in seven years at Arsenal, says the club were stagnating well before the League Cup final drubbing.

“There are excuses (from Wenger) and he is mollycoddling a team,” Wright told the BBC.

“Whether he stays at the end of this season, I could not make a case. I am not sure anyone can. This development of mediocrity has to be arrested.”

Arsenal last won the league title in 2004 and have not won the Champions League during Wenger’s 22-year reign, with the FA Cup and League Cup the club’s only silverware in recent years.

Wright, who retired in 2000, believes Arsenal should change managers as soon as possible as it will take the club years to regain their status as one of Europe’s elite competitors.

“I want Arsenal to challenge again, for them to sign players who will get you excited. I want someone in the boardroom who will lay it down...” Wright added.

“How long would it take Arsenal to get back? It will take them a few years. Everyone is progressing and moving forward in that top five.

“Arsenal are going the other way... It is a long road.”

The 54-year-old also questioned Arsenal majority shareholder Stan Kroenke’s interest in the club after the owners disregarded the fans’ opinions to hand Wenger a new contract at the end of last season.

Meanwhile, Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho will miss today’s Premier League clash at Arsenal after failing to recover from a hamstring strain he picked up against the London club in the League Cup final over the weekend.

The 32-year-old was replaced by Bernardo Silva in the second half at Wembley on Sunday as goals from Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and David Silva earned Pep Guardiola his first trophy as the English side’s manager.

Premier League leaders City said the initial prognosis had suggested the Brazil international’s injury was not serious.

“No timescale has yet been set for his return but the Premier League game against the Gunners on Thursday will come too soon,” City said in a statement on their website (www.mancity.com).

Fernandinho has played in every league match so far this season, scoring three goals along the way. - Reuters