What will Wenger’s legacy be?

The case of Arsene Wenger is a peculiar one.

Once feted for his managerial foresight and vision, he now resembles a man so resistant and stubborn to change he is in danger of ruining his legacy.

In many Arsenal fan’s eyes he already has.

A sensible policy of balancing the books and hiring young talent is commendable but the mentality of naivety and inferiority that created is proving impossible to shift.

Top — and I mean top — talent like Patrick Vieira aggressively pursued trophies and a standard that has not been seen at the Gunners since.

The thing is, all players need a benchmark, someone to aspire to. In failing to replace the likes of Vieira and Thierry Henry with at least players of the same mental ilk, Arsenal have slipped away from challenging from major honours.

A humiliating defeat to Blackburn in the FA Cup and a pull-your-pants down embarrassing loss to an awesome Bayern Munich in the Champions League have ruffled fans fed-up with the same old story.

Could it be that in Wenger’s relentless quest to fashion a model, profit-making young-looking club, he’s let things slip when it comes to go ruthlessly winning football matches.

Don’t get me wrong, he’ll go down as a great but Wenger’s self-built empire looks in need of new leadership.

Saturday

Fulham v Stoke
8.45am
Two teams who have too much to avoid relegation but not enough to do anything interesting in the top half.
Fulham are strong at home and can edge the three points here.
Prediction: 2-1

Arsenal v Aston Villa
11am
The pick of the Saturday games simply because another defeat for Arsenal — against a Villa side that have struggled badly — would cause havoc at the Emirates. Wenger’s players have publicly supported him. Now they must back up their words with a worthy performance. They will.
Prediction: 3-1

Norwich v Everton
11am
The Toffees have probably the best team under David Moyes but they draw too many games. This is one they should win but won’t. Canaries to snatch last-gasp equalizer.
Prediction: 2-2

QPR v Man Utd
11am
No win in five spells doom for bottom club QPR and they’re unlikely to get any joy here, with United looking strong and having impressed in the Bernabeu. A thrashing.
Prediction: 0-4

Reading v Wigan
11am
‘Six-pointer’, ‘must-win’ etc etc. A victory for either team would be huge with both in the bottom three. Reading’s form is better and they’re at home – could be a good day for the Royals.
Prediction: 3-2

West Brom v Sunderland
11am
That the Baggies are eight points clear of Sunderland should be proof of a fine season – but the Peter Odemwingie farce has soured things slightly. Not sure he’ll be welcome back into the starting line-up just yet!
Prediction: 1-0

Sunday

Man City v Chelsea
9.30am
The heavyweight clash of the weekend and a chance for Roberto Mancini to justify his claim that he is the best manager in the Premier League. Not sure about that…but he’ll win though.
Prediction: 3-2

Newcastle v Southampton
9.30am
Alan Pardew faces his old club with his ranks reinforced by some fine January purchases. BUT Saints have a fine win over Man City to fall back on should times get hard. An honourable draw.
Prediction: 1-1

Monday

West Ham v Tottenham
16:00
The Hammers have gone increasingly direct as their form has subsided. Spurs have shown a fine level of consistency helped largely by Gareth Bales’ elevation to world-class status.
Prediction: 0-2