Arsenal: Poisonous William Gallas Comments Convey Growing Concern

William Gallas is the first well-known ex-Arsenal player to say that Arsene Wenger should leave, conveying the growing concern within the fanbase.

The future of Arsene Wenger has been a question that has embodied the trophyless confusion that Arsenal find themselves in. After an opening decade in North London blessed with vast success and Invincible seasons, Wenger has since been unable to replicate the same relentless winning.

Related Story: Arsenal: 15 Greatest Strikers Of All Time

There have been questions regarding his transfer policy – these have somewhat been reasoned thanks to the severe financial restrictions that the move to Emirates placed on the club -, his tactical nous, especially in the big games and of the mentality of the squad which can ultimately be assigned to the management style of Wenger.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park

While past players have been willing to criticise the state of the team and the weaknesses that Wenger has allowed to seep into the club, few, if any, have ever called for a chage; they merely point out that Wenger must change, not that he must be changed. Well, that is no longer true. Speaking to TalkSport radio after Arsenal’s latest loss to Chelsea, former defender William Gallas stated that ‘it is time to change something’, suggesting that he feels Wenger should leave come the end of the season:

"“You get criticism when you don’t win trophies, when you don’t win games, and that is maybe the difference between Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger. Football is about victory, about trophies. Players want to lift trophies. If you don’t lift a trophy in your career, you will feel disappointed at the end of your career. I don’t know what Arsenal are going to do but they have to win trophies again. Maybe it is time to change something at the end of the season.”"

It is certainly surprising to hear a former player call for Wenger to leave but perhaps it is indicative of the growing concern surrounding the club. In recent seasons, the fanbase has been easily classified as ‘Wenger Out’ or ‘Wenger In’. Well, after yet another year in which the title now seems beyond his team, the Champions League is likely unattainable and the FA Cup is the best chance of a trophy, the ‘Wenger Out’ brigade is growing in number.

It used to be the minority of fans that campaigned for Wenger’s exit. It was a loud and vociferous section, one that held up banners at games and staged protests at the stadium, but it was still the minority in number. Now, though, it may also have the numbers.

Next: Arsenal: Top 5 Elite Strikers Available

William Gallas is simply another who has joined the call for Wenger to leave this season. There are many more fans for whom this has been the year to confirm their suspicions over the prosperous future that Arsenal are harming by persisting with Wenger as their manager. Gallas’ poisonous comments simply convey a growing concern over Wenger and his tenure.