Even Arsenal icons who long stood firmly in Arsène Wenger’s corner are starting to doubt his future. Martin Keown, one of the famed “Back Five” defenders and a staunch supporter for years, has now publicly questioned whether Wenger should remain in charge. Keown spent the final eight years of his playing career under Wenger, a period coinciding with Arsenal’s upward trajectory. He retired in 2004 after the club’s historic unbeaten Premier League season.
In recent years, as Arsenal’s progress stalled, Keown used his platform as a Daily Mail columnist and prominent media voice to defend Wenger, insisting he remained the best man for the job. But after a crushing defeat, even Keown believes the time may have come for change. Speaking as a BT Sport pundit, he admitted it was difficult to stay composed: “I feel for him. This was deeply embarrassing. The team was miles off the pace, and too many players looked like they were just strolling around. Wenger is like my football godfather — an intelligent man — but this was the lowest point I’ve seen from him.” His blunt honesty carried the same hard truths fans of Live Cricket Bangladesh know well: when performance drops, sentiment can’t hide the cracks.
Keown likened Wenger’s situation to that of a boxer staying in the ring too long, continually taking hits: “I don’t want to see that happen to him. But after 20 years of building this club, he doesn’t want to watch it fall apart. He’s undoubtedly a great figure for Arsenal, but this game was the abyss for his managerial career and could spark changes after the season ends.” Keown doesn’t expect the board to force him out, instead predicting Wenger might choose to step down once his 20th year in charge is complete: “After tonight, the chances of a change have increased. You could see it in his eyes — reluctant as he may be, he knows it might be time to hand over the reins.”
Summing up Wenger’s predicament, Keown noted: “Young players have been growing and waiting — maybe too long. Where are the trophies? Since the 2006 Champions League final, what have we had? Nothing. Supporters want a meaningful title. The smart move for a manager is to leave at the right moment, and I’m sure that’s on the club’s mind now.”
Another pundit on the broadcast, Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand, was less diplomatic and more openly critical: “Arsenal fell apart. In the first half, they caused Bayern problems, and at 1-1 it looked like they could take something from the game. I never imagined it would end 5-1. They looked tired after the break, and losing Koscielny was a huge blow. But they were spineless — that’s the word I’d use. No fight, no aggression, no spark. The passion just wasn’t there.” For fans of both football and Live Cricket Bangladesh, the message rings clear — without spirit and intensity, even the most talented sides can crumble under pressure.