It has been necessary to remind ourselves that Arsenal FC remains one of the great clubs in English football and Arsene Wenger is second only to Sir Alex Ferguson on the list of Premier League managers who have won the most trophies with their English clubs.

The last two weeks have been open season on Arsenal and Wenger in the wake of the Gunners' 4-0 thrashing at Liverpool — the visitor was lucky to get none — with the media and ex-players putting the collective boot into club and manager. Having lost two of its opening three games Arsenal has realistically kissed goodbye to any title aspirations, with some observers even predicting a mid-table finish.

Few are surprised by Arsenal's lame start despite its F.A. Cup win in May. Majority owner U.S.-based Stan Kroenke seems more interested in the share price than success on the field; there is no pressure or accountability on Wenger, who should have stepped down two years ago and is in danger of being remembered as a failure rather than the club's most innovative manager