Won 2, Drawn 5, Lost 3 – Arsenal’s record since the Carling Cup catastrophe against Birmingham City in all competitions. As well as crashing out of all four competitions they were in, the two months since Wembley has seen a disturbing change in the behaviour of a man who was once famed for his coolness. I speak of course of Arsene Wenger who appears to be just one more match away from committing hari-kari on football, referees and everything else in between.

I have not been short of a word of criticism for the Frenchman this season but I have no desire to see him expire on the touch-line for without Arsene there simply would be no Arsenal in their current state. But his behaviour in recent weeks is nothing short of erratic – fixtures rant, clashes with referees in the Nou Camp, Dalglish on the touch-line and barely shaking hands with Steve Kean and Harry Redknapp are not like Arsene Wenger and are rapidly seeing him lose respect from the great and good.

It’s clear to see why he is frustrated, a team not reaching its potential, a defence with more holes than Wentworth on a good day and a staggering 13 points dropped from winning positions this term. By the way that tally does not count the surprise losses against West Brom and Newcastle at home and today against a Bolton team fresh from a 5-0 hammering by Stoke last weekend.

Those 13 points would have mean defeat against Wanderers would still have kept Arsenal four points clear, not nine points behind. Add the nine points which should have been gained from West Brom, Newcastle (home) and Bolton and Arsenal would now be celebrating clinching the league title even before Man U come to town.

But there is no relief for Wenger, at the start of his reign he had talkers and organisers at the heart of his defence like Adams, Keown and Bould – now he has the silent soldiers Djourou and Koscielny. Where once Pat Rice would shout and scream - much to the dismay of a chilled out Wenger - he now sits aside Wenger watching the latest problems creep in. Crucially, where once Arsene had a boardroom confidante in David Dein, he now has a new owner who is sure to take a close look at things come May.

One hopes that Wenger himself already knows his fate – either that Kroenke has told him that he is the only main to take Arsenal forward or that Arsene has decided to walk away at the end of the season before the strain becomes simply too much. If it’s the first then the club MUST do all they can to take the strain off Wenger and let him do what he does best, coach. If it’s the latter than one huge thank you should be being put together for arguably the club’s greatest ever manager.

If rumours are true and that loyal Pat Rice is stepping down at the end of the season then Wenger and the club must recruit someone who can whip a defence into shape – Tony Adams or even a promotion for Steve Bould comes to mind. Secondly that effort NEEDS to be backed up with a new centre half who will not be afraid to bark orders at his defenders – Gary Cahill or Jagielka more than fit the bill.

The phrase goes that it’s always darkest before the dawn, maybe Wenger’s policy has been right all along and all it needed was just a nip and tuck here and there. What is certain is that this summer will define Arsene Wenger at Arsenal - it’s probably the most high-stakes game of stick or twist ever played.