Alan Smith feels the time is right for Arsene Wenger to leave Arsenal.

The chorus of Wenger doubters has only strengthened since Wednesday night's 5-1 Champions League humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich and former Gunner Smith is certainly a part of the group who feel the Frenchman needs to exit the North London club.

"I think they've come to the end of a cycle," he said.

"It's time for a new man in the job, a new voice and different methods.

"I think if he announced today or tomorrow that he was stepping down at the end of the season he would then be revered as the legend he is at the football club.

"That toxic atmosphere would be taken away in a heartbeat and it would help the team because the atmosphere would completely change at the Emirates and towards him.

"I just don't think you can be treading water in this way now, particularly with the fans' attitude towards it.

"It might be that they have to take a step back to take a step forward.

"I don't think fans would mind that because they're in a rut and they've got to do something to get out of it."