Gilberto Silva believes that Arsene Wenger’s time at Arsenal should come to an end.
The Brazilian, who played 170 League games for Arsenal, reckons that while other clubs in the Premiership have adapted and changed their approach to football, Wenger’s is exactly the same as it’s always been.
“I feel that the time has come,” the midfielder told Sport 360 ahead of Arsenal’s clash against Bayern Munich on Tuesday night.
“The more the past is coming to a close, the more his time is coming – not because he can’t do the job any longer, but, perhaps because the other clubs have changed their way of working, the way of doings things.
“He hasn’t changed much, he hasn’t changed his way of working – not because he doesn’t want to, but it is not so easy to compete with clubs who spend a lot of money every season.
“Wenger has spent a lot more years than them (Conte, Guardiola and Klopp) in the Premier League. They are younger and motivated and they have a lot of energy to look around and source ways to win against Wenger.
“He has his own way of working, in which he believes. Irrespective of whether you are either a young or an old coach, you have to believe in something, and that’s what he does.”
Hearing players who have worked underneath Wenger state that he should leave the club he’s coached for two decades is pretty sobering. Gilberto’s not some hot-headed pundit in need of column inches and headlines. He’s played under Wenger for six years and knows him better than any of us could hope to.
Arsenal exited the Champions League 10-2 on aggregate on Tuesday night. A horrific first leg at the Allianz and terrible refereeing display at the Emirates means that, once again, the Gunners fail to truly challenge in our biggest competition.
As fans, as all we can do is watch. However, many appear to agree with Gilberto; Wenger’s time has come.