Thursday 13 April 2017 07:08, UK
Charlie Nicholas has launched a passionate plea to Arsene Wenger demanding he sheds light on his future at Arsenal immediately.
The Frenchman is in the midst of the most testing spell of his tenure with the Gunners, with some disgruntled supporters calling for him to end his 21-year association with the club.
Wenger claims to have already reached a decision over future but is yet to make that public.
And, as seen in Monday's 3-0 defeat at Crystal Palace, Nicholas feels the indecision at the top of Arsenal's hierarchy is hindering performances on the pitch - something the Sky Sports pundit insists must stop.
"Arsenal is a community club. Now it has to face the music and say this is the worst period, and that it was probably a matter of time before it was going to happen," he told Sky Sports News HQ. "Unfortunately it has happened so quickly that people don't have a response.
"The football club must respond. Arsene must respond. And if he doesn't someone must on his behalf.
"We have no leadership at the top end. Arsene controls the footballing situation, he says he would tell us [his decision] 'soon' and that it doesn't affect the team.
"I'm sorry Arsene, I love you, you've been absolutely sensational, but it's affected the game and the team enormously.
"I'm not chasing Arsene out the door. All I'm saying is, Arsene - make your announcement. Everybody needs clarity. Arsene please, come out and give clarity on the situation.
I’m sorry Arsene, I love you, you’ve been absolutely sensational, but it’s affected the team enormously. I’m not chasing you out the door, all I’m saying is, Arsene – make your announcement!
"A bit of openness and honesty back to the Arsenal fans. We need to know the answer, we need to know it now. It needs clarity. All we're asking is for you tell us.
"You can't wait on a win - for Man City in the FA Cup semi-final and hope you win and that it will pacify the crowd.
"The crowd at Crystal Palace were telling you what they feel. It's growing now.
"If you're going to leave, we want you to leave with humility, and the gratitude that we'd like to show to you is festering now. I hate to see the man in such pain."
Defeat at Selhurst Park left the Gunners seven points clear of fourth-placed Manchester City, making finishing outside of the top four for the first time under Wenger a real possibility.
Asked whether he felt Wenger should remain at the Emirates beyond this summer, Nicholas added: "My answer would be I think he should go.
"I think if he [clarifies his future], Arsenal could try and finish the season and give him proper credibility and a send-off.
"But there's just too much confusion, pain and anger at the moment."
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