Martin Keown believes that Arsene Wenger is close to leaving Arsenal after 21 years in charge.

Although Wenger’s current deal doesn’t run out until 2019 and the Frenchman has always honoured his contracts in the past, former Gunner Keown reckons that this could be the final chapter for his old boss.

“It wasn’t quick enough, they’ve got to move the ball quicker,” Keown said on BT Sport after Arsenal’s drab 0-0 draw away to West Ham on Wednesday.

“Ten minutes into the second half it was a bit better but the game really should have been over by then. 

“Arsenal just haven’t got that cutting edge and they’re losing ground on their rivals, they’re slipping deeper and deeper. 

“The Champions League now is looking like it’s not going to happen for Arsene Wenger. 

The questions will come again for the manager, is he going to be there next season or not? 

“It looks like the end, we’ve talked about whether it’s the end of this chapter for Arsene Wenger, but (Mesut) Ozil and (Alexis) Sanchez, Sanchez just didn’t give enough tonight. 

“If it doesn’t get much better for him (Wenger), then at the end of the season he has to hold his hands up and say well ‘maybe I’m not the man to take this club forward’.”

From a fan’s perspective, it does feel as if Wenger’s winding down as Arsenal manager now. After the backlash of finishing fifth last term and the poor displays from this campaign, as Keown says, it doesn’t look as if it’ll get any better for Le Professeur.

The players no longer seem to be putting in the effort his philosophy requires and the Frenchman’s tactics often seem outdated. I think he’s come to terms with that now.

The introduction of Sven Mislintat and Raul Sanllehi behind the scenes also appears quite telling. Their appointment means Wenger will have to ease his grip on the club and, to me, that only means one thing.

The only issue is that we’ve not heard any rumours regarding his possible successor for a long time and considering the boss will probably have a hand in picking the next manager, you’d imagine the process would have begun by now if Wenger was leaving in six months’ time.

Either way, all we can do is see out this season and see what happens.