Joey Barton feels Arsene Wenger may have stayed at Arsenal for too long, describing him as a drunk man who has been at a party for too long.

Wenger has come under scrutiny once again as he side threw away three points at Watford on Saturday. Barton has defended Wenger, but feels he may have overstayed his welcome as Arsenal manager.

“These are worrying times if you’re an Arsenal fan, but if you’re him [Wenger] you think the next good team is just around the corner and he’s building it,” he said on Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast.

“Whatever any of us thinks he’s been a phenomenal manger in the Premier League. I think last year would have been a great time to step upstairs and let someone else come in. Does he need this? Every time they have a negative result he’s getting battered from pillar to post.

“I’m a huge fan of what Wenger has done, but sometimes you can stay at a party too long. Sometimes it’s nice to get off [home] at 12 o’clock, but it’s now about 4am and he’s staggering around absolutely bladdered waiting for someone to eject him – which is only going to be a matter of time, I think!”

Arsenal have had a mixed start to the season, winning just four of their opening eight games and losing three, all away from home. The Gunners have dropped points to Stoke City, Watford and Liverpool, the latter in humiliation fashion.

Such familiar defeats have left people wondering whether Wenger should still be in charge of Arsenal. Wenger had the opportunity to leave Arsenal in the summer when his contract was due to expire, but he eventually signed a two-year extension.

Majority shareholder Stan Kroenke is a huge admirer of Wenger and is highly unlikely to sack him. There are also doubts about Ivan Gazidis‘ power at the club. Hence, the feeling is that the only way Wenger leaves is if he decides to.

It’s still early days in the season, and a good run of form isn’t beyond Arsenal at all. They travel to Red Star Belgrade and Everton this week, and will be looking to bounce back straight away.