Debate: Should Wenger remain Arsenal boss after FA Cup success?

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BRENDON NETTO, SAYS YES

Timing is everything in football and Arsene Wenger’s departure at this juncture could do more harm than good. If he leaves now, there’s the danger of Arsenal being flung into a web of uncertainty.

Their failure to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 20 seasons has unsurprisingly emerged as the overwhelming rationale for his immediate discharge but ironically, it’s why his continued presence is essential.

Without the lure of Europe’s elite competition, Arsenal risk losing the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil while attracting players of similar calibre will be a herculean task. A season of transition is an unnecessary gamble and who better to keep Arsenal competitive in the face of stronger opposition than Wenger himself?

One only has to look at the events that followed Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement at Manchester United after 26 years. Even the then league champions, armed with a transfer warchest were left in a state of shock once he stepped out the door.

For all his stubbornness and questionable decisions, a switch to 3-4-3 in the last couple of months points to Wenger’s willingness to adapt. Despite rumours of discontent, he hasn’t lost the dressing room as the performance on Saturday against league champions Chelsea would suggest.

In trying to keep Arsenal thriving while staying true to his philosophy during a period of financial constraints, he unwittingly fed a culture of acceptance.

They grew comfortable with a top four spot but the job he’s done cannot be belittled. Rather than conquering and moving onto greener pastures as soon as the Invincibles were disbanded, he chose to build a dynasty, to set the club up for decades to come.

The latest FA Cup triumph, a record seventh for Wenger, shouldn’t be shrugged off as a mere formality. Despite the lack of silverware since 2004, three FA Cups in the last four seasons is more than a marked improvement.

His moment to bow out has come and gone. It will come again soon, but not just yet. Wenger may have played a part in getting Arsenal into this mess, but look around, he’s also best suited to get them out of it.

MATT MONAGHAN, SAYS NO

Football managers are rarely afforded the opportunity to leave on a high. But this is the scenario which confronts Arsene Wenger after a season full of protests and resentment was, temporarily, forgotten with Saturday’s fine FA Cup win against Chelsea.

The wait to see if the Frenchman is to extend his 21-year tenure has enveloped a campaign pockmarked, largely, by disappointment. In truth, this issue should long be over – both club and tactician must decide in tomorrow’s board meeting now is the perfect moment for a fresh start and a fitting send-off.

For Wenger, long-time nemesis Sir Alex Ferguson’s decision to step aside in May 2013 after 26 glorious years at Old Trafford should be exemplar. The Scot knew he had wrung everything out of Manchester United when he guided them to the 2012/13 top-flight crown.

Wenger’s service has delivered 16 trophies and 20 years of access to the riches granted by the Champions League. Yet to think he impatiently and ungratefully deserves not to gain a contract renewal just because of this year’s failure to make the top four is inaccurate.

The financial anchor created by building Emirates Stadium has long been cut loose. And still a Premier League title push has not occurred. Maddening decisions have seen the recruitment of world-class talents such as Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil not translate into elite trophies.

From a consistently soft underbelly, to signing only goalkeeper Petr Cech for 2015/16 and taking until last month to discover a tactical ‘Plan B’, the indiscretions are many. Wenger would have been sacked by ruthless Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich long ago.

In the time he’s been in charge, 14 major trophies have been lifted to the Frenchman’s torpid five. Even in vivid victory on Saturday, the question arose as to where was this vibrancy during nine top-flight draws in 2016/17? This win seems like a rare high point on a downwards descent lasting more than a decade since ‘the Invincibles’.

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