Keown: Cup win would be perfect way for Wenger to bow out

Matt Stead

Arsenal legend Martin Keown believes that the best thing Arsene Wenger can do for the club is help find his successor.

Speculation is rife surrounding the Frenchman, with Wenger keeping quiet about a decision regarding his own future.

Arsenal have had a disappointing season having finished outside the top four, but they can capture silverware in Saturday’s FA Cup final.

Keown believes that the biggest gift Wenger could give Arsenal is not a trophy, but helping the club pick his successor.

“It may feel like he would be doing a holding job until another man comes in. The greatest gift Wenger can give to Arsenal is to help identify his successor,” Keown wrote in the Daily Mail.

“The club is like a family business being passed down through the generations. Wenger sees Arsenal as his family and will want to be part of the process to plan for the future.”

“This is a defining day for Arsene Wenger at Arsenal Football Club. If he wins, Wenger will have won a record seventh FA Cup against a side that has been utterly dominant this season.

“Winning the Cup would be the perfect time to bow out, but I think it would reaffirm his belief that he can still do the job.

“I believe Wenger will stay even if Arsenal lose, but he will have to ask himself some searching questions.

“It may feel like he would be doing a holding job until another man comes in. The greatest gift Wenger can give to Arsenal is to help identify his successor.

“The club is like a family business being passed down through the generations. Wenger sees Arsenal as his family and will want to be part of the process to plan for the future.”