Is it time for Arsene Wenger to leave?

Four years ago Arsenal boasted Nasri, Fabregas, Song and RVP, now its been stripped of its most prized possessions

Arsenal 2 Schalke 04 2

All that was missing from another disappointing European venture for Arsenal was David Bowie and Queen singing Under Pressure in the backdrop. Another night of frustration and anxiety for Gunners fans the world over as they saw a beleaguered Arsenal team catapult to a 2-0 lead only to predictably throw it away in the end.

Despite an impressive first half display, looking at the Arsenal team sheet, the lack of a world-class striker was only too apparent.

Rewind to last weekend’s misadventure in Manchester.

Both results are symbolic of one man Robin van Persie, popularly known as RVP. It is rare for a player of such proven quality to swap between these two giants of the English game, yet it is testament to the weakness of Arsenal's bargaining position; that they could not insure that he plied his trade abroad.

In their ignorance, Gunners fans all over the world sought to believe that in one way or another, through injury or lack of form he would flop at United. Robin Van Persie is now their leading scorer with eight goals, one of which he was gifted by his former employers with just three mins of the game gone.

Spare a thought here for Arsene Wenger, the manager of English Premier League side Arsenal.

The man who sought to emulate ‘the beautiful game’ of Brazil or ‘total football’ of the Dutch looks increasingly likely to depart the Gunners on a barren run, without them having won a major trophy in seven years. The aptly named Theatre Of Dreams was once again showcasing Wenger’s worst nightmare.

While to the untrained eye, this result might not have been nearly as catastrophic as the 8-2 drubbing they received last year at the hands of the red devils, as the cameras cut across to capture a forlorn Wenger squatting within inches of the field of play, his expression of hopelessness was there for all too see.

Four years ago his squad boasted the likes of Nasri, Fabregas, Song and Van Persie. Four days ago all four of the aforementioned players were plying their trade of three different clubs. Gone is the aura of the invincibles, stripped of its most prized possessions; philosophy without talent to back it is simply ambition wasted.

As he undoubtedly sits in his quantum of solace tonight, Wenger must surely wonder how prudent his decision was to turn down Madrid.

For his sake one can only hope that it’s not too late.

Follow Shehan on Twitter @ShehanRayer