Ian Wright: Arsene Wenger told me his time at Arsenal is 'coming to an end'

Wright claims that Wenger has told him he is coming to the end of him time in charge of Arsenal

Wenger's current contract with Arsenal expires at the end of the season (Getty)

The former Arsenal player Ian Wright has revealed that Arsene Wenger this week confided in him that he is “coming to the end” of his time in charge of the north London club.

Wenger’s current contract with the club expires at the end of the season, and yet the Frenchman is yet to sign an extension. He has also doggedly refused to offer any clarification over his future at the club.

Speculation that the Arsenal manager will leave the club at the end of the current season has increased markedly in the following week, following the club’s dismal performance in the recent 3-1 defeat away to Chelsea.

And now Wright, who was at a corporate event with Wenger on Thursday night, has told BBC Radio 5Live that the Arsenal manager openly admitted to him that his long reign at the club is finally approaching its end.

“I was with the boss last night and if I’m going to be totally honest I get the impression that that’s it,” Wright said.

“You get the impression looking at him that that’s it. He actually mentioned when he was talking last night that he’s coming to the end. And I’ve never heard him say that before.

"He looks winded, like someone who has whacked him in the stomach. I know someone will ask me 'do you think he will go at the end of the season?’ And I think he will.”

Wright believes the players are to blame for Arsenal's recent slump in form — not Wenger (Getty Images)

Wright was keen to stress on the show that he did not hold Wenger to blame for Arsenal's recent slump in form. Instead, the former striker claimed that the players should shoulder more responsibility.

"They’ve got to look at the players," Wright added. "What’s happened with the players, the team he has built in the last eight or nine years, they should have a long hard look at themselves.

"He’s been so faithful, put so much faith into these teams that I think has been misplaced.”

Wenger once again refused to discuss his future during his Thursday press conference, although he did comment on the vociferous speculation surrounding his future.

“When you work for 20 years for a club, everybody wants you out. That’s the modern world,” he said.

"But being in charge, being responsible, is a bit more serious than that.”