"I am sure you would miss me when I am gone" - Is Arsene's time at Arsenal over?

The game against Bayern Munich is certainly the most important in Arsenal‘s season presently, after their loss against Blackburn left them with no hope of securing a domestic title. Although even the most fanatic of Gooners will agree with the fact that Arsenal has almost zero chance of winning the Champions League, a win against one of the in-form sides of Europe in Bayern Munich will go a long way in soothing tensions at the Emirates.

Stranger things have happened in football, but Wenger’s furious outburst just before such an important game was certainly unexpected. Maybe it will turn out to be a masterstroke, igniting his players’ passion and it bringing out the best of Arsenal as a club after years of frustration and under-performance. He also, with his last statement, “I am sure you would miss me when I am gone”, hinted that his time at Arsenal might be at its end.

Arsene Wenger was initially angry at the The Sun’s report claiming that he was ready to sign a extension at Arsenal. Then, strangely, he vented out his frustration at a Daily Mail reporter.

Wenger to Daily Mail reporter: I look at you not because you give the information. I do not know if it is you. I do not know where the information comes from.

Reporter: Me?

Wenger: Yeah, why do you look at me?

Reporter: Because it’s your press conference.

Wenger: OK, thank you. I just thought you had given this information out.

Reporter: No, I’m looking at you because it’s your press conference.

Wenger: OK, thank you very much.

Then, when the line of questioning was about the Blackburn defeat, Wenger refused to answer, saying that this conference was about the upcoming game and not the FA cup tie. This is after he dismissed a German reporter who had asked him about Bayern Munich, saying: “I dont talk about Bayern Munich today.”

Then Wenger started talking about how other teams (Munich and Manchester United in particular) have faltered against lower league opposition, and that when it is Arsenal, there is a huge storm. He talked about Arsenal’s record in the Champions League, mentioning that in 2006 when they reached the final, they did it without conceding a goal even though they don’t traditionally have a good defence.

Certainly, Arsene Wenger deserves respect for what he has done for Arsenal over the past decade and more, but this press conference might be the first sign that he has reached the tipping point. His philosophy of developing players rather than lavishly spending on the finished ‘product’ doesn’t work in this day and age of Chelseas and Manchester Citys. He is frustrated with his club’s inability to hold on to the top players, which directly impacts the team’s performance.

Wenger, more than any Arsenal fan, is hurt about the trophy drought. He was deeply hurt by their exits in the Carling Cup and FA Cup. He hates to lose to the Spurs as much as any Emirates regular. Arsene Wenger is Arsenal, and Arsenal is Arsene Wenger. After all, he has been at the helm for 16 years. He created the greatest Arsenal team of all time (probably the greatest Premiership side). His frugal spending and his understanding of economics meant that Arsenal comfortably made their shift to a new stadium without suffering huge debts. He still managed to rebuild the team year after year, even though his best players have kept on leaving. But maybe now is the time for a fresh face, a different philosophy. And probably Wenger realises this, that the club he loves might be better off with someone else in charge. Wenger would be the happiest person if Arsenal started performing better under someone else. His contract runs till 2014, so we will have to wait and see what the French professor decides. But what he deserves, however Arsenal performs on the pitch, is the right to decide when to leave.

On the contrary, maybe this press conference is a big sham, a distraction, or maybe a last ditch effort to bring out the best from his players. Arsenal certainly need to play out of their skins if they have to beat Philip Lahm and co. Not for the club, not for the fans, not for themselves, but for Wenger. He deserves that. His faith in his players needs to be repaid, and against the Bundesliga leaders, it is the best occasion when Walcott and co. can repay him for his years of effort.