Time for Wenger and Arsenal to part, says Gary Lim
The Frenchman has come out fighting, but it is clear he has hit the wall
The balance of power in North London has shifted and Arsenal are suffering.
This season, arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur, for so long the second-class citizens, are making all the waves.
In an incredulous campaign which sees Leicester City threatening to run away with the English Premier League title, Tottenham are seen as the only ones capable of ruining the party for Claudio Ranieri's men.
It is no wonder Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, 66, faces the most trying few months of his career.
The discontent among the Arsenal faithful is in danger of escalating into a revolt. This hurts the Gunners.
Despite assembling their best squad in years, Arsenal have not been able to seize the initiative in a title race where so many of the other big guns have faltered.
What exacerbates the pain is that their fiercest rivals have stepped up to create an unflattering contrast.
Spurs believe the task of bridging a five-point gap between the Foxes and themselves an achievable one.
While Arsenal, 11 points adrift of the leaders, albeit with a game in hand, are operating on a wing and a prayer.
Many Arsenal fans are angry at Wenger, who's doing a pretty good job at putting on a brave front.
Asked about his future, the Frenchman told beIN Sports: "I have no doubt because I am committed and, when I do something, I do it 100 per cent. I am always committed to give my best as long as I am at the club."
But what happens when his best is longer good enough?
Wenger's contribution since he joined Arsenal in 1996 makes him one of the most respected figures in world football. He has won three Premiership titles and six FA Cups, and taken the Gunners to one Champions League final.
His shrewd management of the club during a prolonged spell of austerity, as a result of the construction of a new stadium, deserves tremendous praise, taking into account the fact the Gunners have qualified for the Champions League for the last 16 seasons.
MORE RESPECT
It is why Hull City manager Steve Bruce considers criticism of Wenger well off the mark, calling for more respect for the Frenchman's achievements.
When Sir Alex Ferguson retired from Manchester United in 2013, it left Wenger as the longest-serving manager in the Premier League.
Since then, a new, modern breed of young managers has taken the stage by storm.
Slaven Bilic has transformed West Ham into unlikely top-four contenders. Juergen Klopp is breathing new life into Liverpool. Ronald Koeman has won admirers for his work at modest Southampton.
And Mauricio Pochettino has turned Spurs into exciting title contenders way ahead of schedule.
It's perfectly understandable if Arsenal fans yearn for a young, charismatic manager in the same mould, like Thomas Tuchel from Borussia Dortmund.
Juventus' Massimiliano Allegri would be a shrewd choice, along with Italy coach Antonio Conte, if Arsenal can convince him the Emirates is a far better home than Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal haven't tasted league success since 2004 and are all but out of this term's title race. They have already been eliminated from the FA Cup and Champions League.
When the going got tough, the Gunners imploded.
Wenger appears at a loss to eradicate a mental weakness that has plagued his side for years.
He looks baffled at his own team's inability to raise their game. His relationship with the fans is close to breaking point. He clearly feels he can steer Arsenal back to the top, but the board must not allow sentiment to get in the way.
It is time for a fresh face in the Arsenal manager's seat.
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