Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Ikpeba who won the prize in 1997 Monday evening called for the exit of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger following the disappointing 2-1 defeat of the Gunners to Newcastle United at Saint James Park on Sunday.

Ikpeba played under Wenger whilst at AS Monaco but was unequivocal in his assessment of the season Arsenal have had thus far.

"The impossible can still happen but it is very difficult for Arsenal in the Premier League because the concentration is now on the Europa League. It's not done and dusted for them,'' Ikpeba said on Monday Night Football Show televised on SuperSport.

Arsenal are currently sixth in the table with 57 points, 13 points below fourth placed north London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur.

"They have the mighty Atletico Madrid to fight against in the semifinals of the Europa League but when you look at their season in the Premier League, its been disastrous and you wonder," the 'Prince of Monaco' stated.

"They are 33 points adrift of Manchester City and have lost 11 matches in the Premier League, that's too poor for a team like Arsenal.

"Arsenal need a new direction. I don't know if " papa" ( Arsene Wenger) would want to go but he should go yes," when pressed further on whether his onetime coach should take a bow and depart the club this summer.

Interestingly the former Nigerian striker predicted an Arsenal versus Olympique Marseille final in the Europa League in Lyon on May 16.

Wenger has one year left on his Arsenal contract albeit some media publications in England have linked the Arsenal managerial post to other European coaches.

Izuchukwu Okosi

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