Is it Time for Arsene Wenger to be Replaced as Arsenal Manager?

Watching your team snatch a draw from the jaws of victory is almost as heart-breaking as a defeat itself. But when your team is Arsenal and the opposition are your arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur, then the heartache becomes a lingering pain.

So it still hurts today, as Arsenal fans read through the post-mortems as to just what happened the Gunners last night as what seemed to be a 4-2 victory with 89 minutes on the clock turned into a 4-4 draw come the full-time whistle.

As with all things in sport, the buck stops with the manager.

I can't honestly remember the last time such anger was aimed at Arsene Wenger from his own fans, perhaps more shockingly were the calls of "Arsene Out". Arsenal have not won a trophy since the FA Cup in 2005 and it seems that a lot of withheld anger was vented at the Arsenal manager.

On Sky Sports Have Your Say, calls were made for the manager to step down or be sacked, message board forums have been flooded with calls for Wenger's reign to come to an end. Fans have spoken of their frustration at not winning trophies as in years gone by.

However, is all this talk just a little premature? Is it because Spurs were the opponents last night that such anger has emerged or is it as a result of Arsenal fans having enough of Wenger's post-match reasons for more Arsenal failure?

Hence, the questions that are been asked are:

Has Arsene Wenger taken this Arsenal team as far as it can go?

Or

Should Arsenal fans be more patient with their most successful manager?

What are the pros of Wenger's management?

Putting this question to Bleacher Report's Arsenal Community Leader Shyam Parthasarathi, he argues in favour of the fantastic way the team play when on form stating;

"Basically, whatever Le Boss says after every win is a 'pro' for this young squad. There's a considerable amount of potential and when the team is playing well, everything looks fantastic. The team always looks up for the big games, considering that they managed to beat Fenerbahce 5-2 on their own turf."

The style of Arsenal's play has won them many admirers over the years and it must be said that this is down to Arsene's philosophy. He changed the team from "Boring, Boring Arsenal" to a team that thrills and is always bound to score goals.

The ability to score five away from home against Fenerbahce in a notoriously difficult atmosphere highlights their belief and confidence in their play.

Going further Shyam points to the bright future Arsenal have if they can keep together their talented pool of young players:

"There's a lot of talent at Arsenal, and a lot of youngsters coming through. There is no worry for the future whatsoever. The fans who want to see some English players coming through will also not be disappointed, as Arsenal have considerable English talent coming through the ranks."

One of Arsenal's most promising players is Jack Wilshere, and Wenger is expecting great things from this young prodigy and hopes he can surpass the ever-growing talent that is Theo Walcott, who the Arsenal Community Leader points too as a growing influence in the Arsenal team:

"A massive plus for us this season is the emergence of Theo Walcott, who looks like a different player altogether. He has so much pace, and his dribbling ability is simply awesome. With age, his consistency will improve—but so far, it's looking really good."

There is no doubting the attacking quality that is at the manager's disposal and on their day they are an absolute joy to watch. The pain of having to pay upwards of £3,000 a year for a season ticket at The Grove is eased watching the team in full-flight.

What are the cons of Wenger's philosophy?

Of all the things that has been said and written about Le Boss, the one that holds true more than others is his stubbornness.

He likes his team to play flowing, attacking football where attack is the only form of defence.

Wenger once stated that his Arsenal team could go undefeated through a whole season. People laughed but the last laugh went to the Professor, as his side went undefeated as they took the Premier League crown in 2003-2004.

Now Wenger's aim is to win trophies with a young team, without spending huge amounts of money.

While this is an admirable approach, Arsenal have visibly lacked leadership on the pitch which is not helped by Wenger's seemingly stubborn refusal to splash the cash on guaranteed leaders.

Wenger has become known as a shrewd operator in the transfer market, but Shyam questions whether he was attempting to be too clever in the summer window and lost out on signing a central midfielder that Arsenal so obviously need:

"Wenger's transfer policy has left a lot to be desired. [In the summer] he thought that he'd play it smart and wait until the end of the transfer window and in the end nothing happened. He promised a lot at the end of last season, when he said something significant on that front will be done. Arsenal are so up-tight about these things so it's difficult to say whether he has the money to spend and is not choosing to do so or if he doesn't have any money to spend."

In the summer, Arsenal lost first team regulars Hleb and Flamini to Barcelona and AC Milan respectively while vice-captain Gilberto moved to Greek side Panathanaikos, unhappy which his first-time chances.

None of the three have been replaced and Wenger's repeated championing of Denilson as a key midfield player is wearing ever thinner with the Arsenal support. The young Brazilian started the season with some great performances but his form has dipped of late.

Wenger's lack of action in the transfer market mirrors his unerring support for his players.

Almunia, Clichy, Adebayor, Gallas, Toure, and even Fabregas have all made mistakes this season that seem to be an exact copy of those made last year. Wenger's lack of action in dropping players or diverting away from his attacking philosophy seem to be increasingly affecting Arsenal's chances of silverware.

If players are not dropped or not coached to "if in doubt boot it out", then there is less pressure on them and their place in the team, a sentiment echoed by Shyam.

"Despite the potential of the team, I'm not so sure how much they've learnt from their mistakes. Gael Clichy made a mistake he made twice last season—dallying on the ball when he should've simply kicked it into row Z. Cesc Fabregas made a statement which was uncalled for before the game against Tottenham, saying that even the ladies team would be able to beat them. There is simply no experience in the team and even those players who are experienced aren't behaving in a mature manner."

Shyam's note on the recent arrogance of Fabregas was again illustrated last night as the players thought the game was over after 75 minutes. Perhaps Wenger thought it was over too judging by his substitutes. On this note, Alexandre Song could have concentrated a little more on the match and a little less on the smirking and high fiving when introduced the next time.

There appears to be a growing arrogance surrounding the Arsenal squad and it is up to the manager to rid the side of this evil. Remember you are only as good as your last game.

I will give the last point in the cons section to Shyam, who brings up a point that is bothering him, this Arsenal fan and many more Gooners:

"It just seems as if Wenger's philosophy is getting the better of him and I get the feeling that he's trying to prove people wrong by winning something with this team. At this point, I'm not so sure that it's going to happen."

The big question: should Wenger get the sack?

The calls for his head all seem a little premature and most likely erupted from angry Gooners who had just witnessed their side throw away a lead—to Spurs of all people!!

It must be remembered that Wenger has brought unprecendented success to North London and attacking football from another world. He could have gone to numerous other clubs before now while also ensuring Arsenal have never finished outside the Top Four under his guidance.

In addition, there are only a limited number of trophies to be won each year and no team has a God given right to win any of them. Last year, Manchester United were the only club from the "Big Four" to win silverware.

This view is shared with Gooner Shyam: "If the team was in a mid-table position and playing poorly in every single match, then the thought might've come into my mind. He has a good idea of what he's doing, but at times you get the feeling that the youngster's who he's trusting are not repaying his faith in them."

Come January, a lot more will be found out about Arsenal and their manager as they will have played the other members of the "Big Four" and Gooners will wait with baited breath to see what action, if any, Wenger takes in the transfer market.

It is glaringly obvious that Arsenal need a holding midfielder and a strong, tall defender. The question will be answered then if Le Boss is willing to splash the cash and stray from his philosophy. At this stage of his career it would seem unlikely.

So Wenger gets a free pass for now. Arsenal fans are putting real pressure on their manager for the first time in his tenure and it now remains to be seen how he will react.

Then again with Eduardo and Rosicky back, Arsenal may put together a strong run and we'll all be wondering what all the fuss what about.

Come May, we all could be asking: "Crisis, What Crisis?"

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I have not included a poll as people will vote pro/against Wenger for the sake of it. Please comment as whether you think Wenger is still the man for the job.

I am indebted to Shyam, our Arsenal Community Leader, for his help and comments. Keep it Gooner mate :-)