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Arsene Wenger set to face media and more questions on future as Arsenal boss

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger attends a press conference at London Colney on December 2, 2016 in St Albans, England
Image: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will have to face questions over his future again

Arsene Wenger will address the media from 9am, live on Sky Sports News HQ, with questions over his Arsenal future top of the agenda.

The Frenchman will still be reeling from the "nightmare" 5-1 capitulation on Wednesday at Bayern Munich when his side conceded three goals in 10 minutes in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

With his contract up in the summer and no sign of a new one being signed, the criticism has been growing louder with many ex-players and fans wanting a new man at the helm.

Former Gunners striker Alan Smith said the club had come to "the end of a cycle" and his exit would mean the "toxic atmosphere would be taken away in a heartbeat", while Paul Merson added: "I think the time has come for change, but not just the manager - change the players."

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Alan Smith thinks Arsene Wenger needs to step down to be remembered in a positive light

The 67-year-old will speak at a press conference this morning to preview Monday's FA Cup fifth-round clash at non-league Sutton.

But Wenger is likely to be grilled on his plans for the future, even if he has previously insisted he won't decide on whether to extend his 20-year reign until the season's conclusion.

Given their task of having to beat Bayern 4-0 in March's home leg to advance in the Champions League, and with a faltering Premier League title push after two defeats in three games, the FA Cup tie is now huge for Wenger and the club.

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It would be one of the biggest upsets in the history of the competition if the 12-time winners were knocked out by the Vanarama National League outfit.

There have also been reports of player unrest with some newspaper reports on Friday suggesting Alexis Sanchez is planning to quit Arsenal after a dressing-room row in Germany.

None of the squad spoke to the media as they trudged onto the team coach leaving the Allianz Arena, with Mesut Ozil and Granit Xhaka among those widely condemned for their displays.

Image: Arsenal were in disarray in the second half against Bayern Munich

On Thursday night, the agent for club-record signing Ozil leaped to his defence by claiming the Germany international had been made a "scapegoat" for all of Arsenal's recent ills.

Wenger is also likely to be asked about Ozil's performances and whether the German World Cup winner will feature at Sutton, but it will be the questions over his own long-term future that are expected to dominate his news conference.

Watch Wenger's press conference live on Sky Sports News HQ from 9am and follow our live blog

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