Former Gunners Midfielder Demands Wenger Exit 'Sooner Rather Than Later'

Former Arsenal midfielder Stewart Robson is hopeful under-fire manager Arsene Wenger leaves the club 'sooner rather than later' with The Gunners' trophy drought set to extend into a ninth year.

Defeats to Bradford City, and more recently to Blackburn Rovers in the League and FA Cup respectively coupled with a 23-point deficit to Premier League leaders Manchester United leaves the north Londoners on the brink of missing out on silverware for another season.

The Champions League, with the first leg of their last 16 tie against Bayern Munich on Wednesday, represents an unlikely source of success this season but after another campaign defined by high-profile summer sales and inconsistent performances, Arsenal fans have made their feelings known.

Robson said: "I hope it [Wenger's departure] is sooner rather than later because I certainly won't miss him because Arsenal have been going down the wrong road for quite some while."

Wenger was on the attack during his pre-match Champions League press conference, attacking any question regarding recent on-field unrest, and Robson believes attack is the only form of the 63 year old's defence.

"I've listened to a number of his press conferences over the year and when he doesn't like the questions he goes on the attack or doesn't know the answer he'll go on the attack," Robson said.

"Unfortunately too much is made of Arsene Wenger, they've got some good players there but he's the main reason why they haven't won anything for the last eight years.

"If he doesn't like the questioning he goes on the attack because that's his only forward defence at times but he doesn't know how to answer them because he's a man under pressure and he should have been under pressure for the last five years."

Bayern, the 2012 Champions League runners up, travel to The Emirates Stadium on Wednesday amid an 18-match unbeaten run in all competitions dating back to October and boast a 15-point league at the top of the Bundesliga.

While Robson believes Arsenal can take a first-leg lead to Munich, he says a tactical battle will expose Wenger's managerial's accumen.

"When Arsenal play at their very best, and that's the problem with Arsenal they can play so very well," Robson added.

"Because they haven't got a manager that doesn't do much coaching who doesn't have an actual game plan and who don't do enough work on the training field, when things start to go wrong they haven't got as base to go back to.

"We saw it against AC Milan last year, pathetic away from home, brilliant at home; it could be the same here.

"I think Arsenal could win this game by two goals to one or by the odd goal because if they play to a high tempo they will win the game. If it's a tactical game Arsene Wenger will lose that tactical game because he's not a good tactician.

"I hope it [Wenger's departure] is sooner rather than later because I certainly won't miss him because Arsenal have been going down the wrong road for quite some while."