Wenger needs a dose of reality.

It is turning into another winter of discontent for Arsenal and Arsene Wenger. Not only did they suffer a derby day humiliation to Spurs last Saturday but their progress in the champions league was shuddered by a meek display and loss to Braga in midweek. They recovered today to beat Aston Villa but only after another scare and performance that fitted them perfectly: full of invention and naivety.

Wenger has, in typical style defended his players. He refutes the claim they have a soft centre. The closest he came to criticism was admitting that they are "not cautious enough". Are they naive? "You can call it naivety – but it's a harsh word," he said.

It can be a harsh word but its applicable, to the manager. Wenger must be applauded for his philosophy on the game. On the pitch and off of it. But one always gets the impression that he believes he should win. That by adhering to a strict fiscal policy and by the purity of Arsenals play, success is a right.

Of course it isn't. Staying on the track doesn't mean Schumacher won't shunt you off of it.

Wenger's reasoning behind signing and developing young players is sound, as he explained last year: "Briefly, these are the basics. I thought: ‘We are building a stadium, so I will get young players in early so I do not find myself exposed on the transfer market without the money to compete with the others. I build a team, and we compensate by creating a style of play, by creating a culture at the club because the boy comes in at 16 or 17 and when they go out they have a supplement of soul, of love for the club, because they have been educated together".

It is a Utopian mantra. But the lack of experience and Wenger's lack of ruthlessness in weeding out his under-performers is costing him the only currency that matters to fans: silverware.

It has been six years since Arsenal won a trophy. A Patrick Veira penalty sealed the F.A cup against Manchester United in 2004. Veira was the fulcrum for Arsenal. Inculcated in the Arsenal way by the likes of Tony Adams he drove them to the heights of invincibility. He was then jettisoned. Too old. For Veira read Campbell, or Pires or Theirry Henry.

The value of Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville to United goes far beyond what they do on the pitch. They establish a culture. They point the way. A young player or a new signing look at these legends and began to understand and embed themselves in a culture.

Should Wenger have kept some or all of the above? Was Henry really in serious decline? Sometimes their is a human factor to consider when it comes to a transfer. On paper the Juventus offer for Veira made perfect sense. Physically he was in decline, and Arsenal made a profit. But a voice in the dressing room was lost. The chain back to Adams and Dixon was broken.

The eulogies for Wenger when he retires will be long and deserved. He has brought football of poetic beauty to Arsenal. He has built them a stadium. He made them briefly, invincible. But his philosophy must change to once again win, the major trophies.

The Arsene way needs tweaking.