Martin Keown expects changes at Arsenal

Wenger's team again ended up without a trophy (GETTY IMAGES)

Arsene Wenger will look to keep Arsenal on course for automatic qualification to the Champions League once again with victory over Aston Villa on Sunday in the wake of more calls for change at Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal are set for a sixth consecutive season without silverware after Wenger's young Gunners again failed to deliver on a promising campaign which quickly unravelled following a shock Carling Cup final defeat to Birmingham at Wembley.

Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira - set to play for top-four rivals Manchester City in this weekend's FA Cup final - led Wenger's Invincibles to their last league title in 2003/4, but feels the current squad lack the necessary mental toughness to come through testing situations.

Emmanuel Adebayor - brought to Arsenal from Monaco by Wenger in 2006, going on to score 46 goals before his acrimonious big-money departure to City three years later - is another former player who claims the current team must "put their lives on the line" for victory.

Wenger is expected to bring in some fresh faces this summer, most notably in defence, and could also now be ready to let a few who have failed to live up to expectations leave.

Martin Keown, who was part of Wenger's two Double-winning sides, believes a shake-up is inevitable.

"You have to feel there will be changes," the former England centre-back told footballaudio.com.

"I think Arsene Wenger has almost over-estimated what they are capable of and they have let him down, so it is a shared responsibility when the team does not do well and collective praise when they do.

"I am sure everyone will look at themselves, and that they will bounce back.

"Arsenal are not far away, it is not all doom and gloom. With the right collection of players with experience and strength of leadership, then I think Arsenal can win something next season."

Adebayor, 27, feels that while his old club are "not far off" sweeping all before them, Wenger would do well to take a leaf out of Jose Mourinho's book when it comes to player motivation.

"He [Mourinho] is the best, then Arsene Wenger. He prepares his players sometimes like you are going to war," Adebayor told BBC Sport's Football Focus.

"He gives you that spirit and motivation. I have huge respect for Arsene Wenger, but Jose Mourinho could not accept losing to Birmingham in a final. No chance.

"He knows how to motivate you. He knows how to give you everything it takes to win it.

"Even if it means laying down my life to win this cup, I will do it, because I want to win it so much. That is the difference."

On the pitch, Arsenal will be hoping captain Cesc Fabregas has recovered from a thigh injury which forced him out of both the win over Manchester United and defeat at Stoke as they look to stay one step ahead of top-four rivals City by ending their home campaign on a positive note.