Sunday 14 May 2017 09:06, UK
Niall Quinn thinks a top-four finish in the Premier League and an FA Cup win would see Arsene Wenger stay at Arsenal.
Wenger's current contract runs out at the end of the season and the Frenchman, whose future has come under intense scrutiny in recent months, is still yet to sign a new deal.
However, an upturn in form has seen Arsenal reach a third FA Cup final in four years and move to within one point of Liverpool in the race for Champions League qualification in the Premier League.
And Quinn, who was speaking on Sky Sports after Arsenal's 4-1 victory at Stoke on Saturday, thinks a top-four finish and an FA Cup success would guarantee Wenger's future with Arsenal.
"I think he stays [after a top-four finish and a cup win]," Quinn said.
"How he stays and how the structure would be at the club at that point is up for debate, but that represents good, solid progress for a season which was dogged by the negativity that surrounds his leadership of the club.
"He's the most successful manager in the club's history and even today, in this great run they are having, there's another plane hired to fly above the ground with another banner," the former Arsenal striker added.
"However, the doubters will have to sit up and take notice if Wenger turns this team into a Champions League team and cup winners."
Former Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew was full of praise for Wenger, insisting he deserves a lot of credit for the Gunners' upturn in fortunes.
Wenger switched to three at the back against Middlesbrough in April and the change in formation has yielded a run of six wins from seven games in all competitions.
Pardew thinks Wenger's switch is the reason Arsenal are still in with a chance of qualifying for the Champions League.
"Who would have predicted at the start of the season that Arsene Wenger would play three at the back?" Pardew told Sky Sports.
"He's never done that but it's worked for them. It's gained them this momentum.
"He's had a lot of criticism and as a fellow LMA member I want to pat him on the back because that tactical change has got them this chance [of Champions League qualification]."
