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Jamie Carragher: Arsene Wenger needs a Bill Shankly moment

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Arsene Wenger's reputation will stand the test of time and he has produced some of the finest teams in Premier League history.

But, as he heads in to Sunday's FA Cup tie with Swansea, Wenger is approaching the juncture where he needs a 'Bill Shankly moment' to define his Arsenal career.

Let me explain: when Shankly was Liverpool manager, it often gets forgotten that, for all the fantastic work he did building the club up, he went seven years without winning a major trophy.

After winning the League in 1966, Shankly had to wait until 1973 for the trophy cabinet to be re-opened after he masterminded a First Division-UEFA Cup double; 12 months later he won the FA Cup again and promptly retired.

In certain aspects, there are parallels with Wenger. He has revolutionised Arsenal since he became manager in 1996 and there is little doubt he will be remembered as one of the greats.

When the time comes for him to leave, though, he needs to go out on a high, as Shankly did.

Big finish: Liverpool great Bill Shankly retired after winning the FA Cup in 1974

Wenger has come in for significant criticism this year but he has been too good for Arsenal for it all to end under a cloud.

I was one of the few neutrals who wanted Arsenal to win at Bradford in the League Cup last month.

I've got so much respect for Wenger and I haven't enjoyed seeing the flak he has taken, particularly the amount that followed the defeat at Valley Parade.

At the double: Shankly ended a barren spell by lifting the UEFA Cup (above) and First Division title in 1973

With responsibility, however, comes expectation and I fully understand why Arsenal's supporters are getting so frustrated.

The shape of football has changed since they last  won the league (2004) and it is hard to compete with the financial power of the Manchester clubs and Chelsea.

Arsenal have felt that more than most, given the number of players that left the Emirates to join their rivals.

Yet there have been opportunities for Arsenal to win things since they lifted the FA Cup in 2005. They have contested two League Cup finals, a Champions League final and been to an FA Cup semi-final.

It's been a while: Arsene Wenger last lifted the Premier League trophy in 2004

Failing to get over the line means criticism has to follow and Wenger will accept that.

All the success Arsenal have enjoyed in the last 17 years, though, has been down to Wenger. He has been the one who has identified players and improved them; he was responsible for them getting a fantastic new training ground and stadium.

I hear him being criticised now for not spending big money in the transfer market but Wenger has never been a chequebook manager.

He had an unbelievable knack of recruiting players for reasonable fees and turning them into world beaters.

Top Gunner: Wenger worked his magic with fellow Frenchman Thierry Henry - who became an Arsenal legend

We were so impressed at Liverpool that whenever we signed a French player, we'd doubt whether they were any good because, if they were, Wenger would have known about them and ensured Arsenal got in first.

Things have changed in recent years and now it seems as if the target every year for Arsenal is to just get into the Champions League.

Once they get in, it seems as if they are then thinking about how to do it again rather than actually trying to win the trophy.

Testing times: It's been a frustrating few years for Wenger and the Arsenal supporters

Ask any player or supporter what gives the most joy in football and the answer will be unanimous: nothing beats the feeling of winning a trophy and the longer you go without one, the more you appreciate it when one arrives.

An appreciation of Wenger is probably lacking at this moment. It is why he needs his 'Shankly moment' to remind a wider audience what a fantastic manager he has been.

  More... Arsenal in Walcott contract talks with Wenger open to Theo taking striker's role Arsenal trio move step closer to exit as Wenger looks to trim his squad for January sales January transfer window 2013: Club-by-club guide to all the Premier League deals All the latest Arsenal news, features and opinion







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