Is Wenger's era on its last legs? Arsenal have not won since THAT selfie at Spurs... and failure to reach Champions League could end manager's 18-year reign

By Chris Wheeler for the Daily Mail

Published: 05:54 EDT, 7 April 2014 | Updated: 07:13 EDT, 7 April 2014

May 1997. A month notable for Tony Blair’s Labour government coming to power and the UK last winning the Eurovision Song Contest. It is also the last time Arsene Wenger and Arsenal failed to qualify for the Champions League.

The Gunners finished third behind Newcastle on goal difference in Wenger’s first season in charge and had to be content with a place in the UEFA Cup. It has not happened since. Arsenal have taken their place among Europe’s elite for 16 years in a row.

That record is under serious threat in the wake of Sunday’s lame surrender at Everton, Arsenal’s only remaining challengers for fourth spot. His title hopes long since disappeared, Wenger is now clinging on to Champions League qualification by his fingertips.

VIDEO Scroll down to watch Arsene Wenger discuss Arsenal's recent form

Mistake? Arsenal haven't won a since Wojciech Szczesny took this selfie at White Hart Lane

Bad run: Arsenal celebrate their last victory which was a 1-0 win against Tottenham in March

Falling apart: Arsenal were comprehensively beaten by Everton on Sunday

Frustrated: Arsene Wenger reacts as his team slump to a 3-0 defeat against Everton

Everton have a harder run-in but they will go two points clear of Arsenal if they beat bottom-of-the-table Sunderland at the Stadium of Light next weekend while Wenger’s side are playing their FA Cup semi-final against Wigan at Wembley – a game that offers the Frenchman his last chance of lifting a trophy for the first time in nine years.

That record is simply not good enough for many Arsenal fans. Their patience with Wenger has been stretched to the limit. They have put up with excuses about the financial constraints brought on by moving to the Emirates while their rivals have spent big and reaped the rewards.

They have waited for their beautiful tippy-tappy football to win more than just admirers. And they have watched this season while Wenger has played peek-a-boo with the club over signing a new contract.

The question is whether that offer should even remain on the table if they fail to deliver Champions League football again? That, after winning three Premier League titles and four FA Cups, it will be time for Wenger to go?

A poll of more than 8,000 Arsenal fans last week revealed that nearly half think that the 64-year-old should leave if he does not win the FA Cup and finish in the top four this season.

Game over: Arsenal's Mikel Arteta scores an own goal under pressure from Kevin Mirallas

Too easy: Romelu Lukaku beats Szczesny in the Arsenal goal to give his side a 2-0 lead

After another chastening away day for Wenger and his players at Goodison Park, Arsenal legend Ian Wright – a long-time supporter of his old manager – was publicly championing Roberto Martinez as his successor.

It was the manner of the 3-0 defeat that will concern supporters most. Everton were not only better, they simply wanted it more than Arsenal. The first and third goals came from home players reacting more quickly to a loose ball, while the Gunners gave Romelu Lukaku the freedom of Goodison to score the third.

It was the first time Everton had beaten Arsenal there in seven years, and only the second time they had scored three goals against them in the Premier League era.

‘It is a massive worry to lose a game like this,’ admitted Wenger. ‘We have to come back with a different attitude.’

It is not as though it was a one-off, an aberration, either. Arsenal’s last visit to Merseyside in February had ended with the then Premier League leaders being thumped 5-1 by Liverpool. It has been largely downhill since.

Boiling point: Former Everton midfielder Arteta argues with his ex-team-mate Leighton Baines (left)

Disappointing: Arsenal have lost two and drawn two since their victory at White Hart Lane

Nowhere to go: Arsenal players look to the sky after conceding a third goal against Everton

Another late calamity: Mathieu Flamini (right) scores an own goal in added time to hand Swansea a point

Loyal: Arsenal fans show support for Wenger at Stamford Bridge, but do they still feel the same?

‘From the top to the defence, everywhere we were beaten,’ said Wenger at the time. ‘Only our fans were at the races today, unfortunately we were not. We have to analyse what happened. You can’t go into big games and be as passive on the concentration as were today.’

In March, Arsenal were hit for six at Chelsea – just as they had been at Manchester City earlier in the season. ‘I take full responsibility,’ was Wenger’s take on that one. ‘We were not at the level today and after 20 minutes it was game over.

'It becomes a nightmare then. It’s my job and despite the vast experience I have, when you don’t turn up in a game like that it’s your responsibility.’

There are many who feel that Wenger is running out of excuses as fast as his team appear to be running out of ideas. Arsenal have not tasted victory since winning the north London derby at Tottenham five games ago.

You wonder if goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny might be regretting that ‘selfie’ on the pitch at White Hart Lane now.

Blow: Arsenal also suffered a 6-0 defeat at the hands of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge

Helpless: Wenger watches on as his team fail another huge test against Chelsea

There is still time to turn it around. Five remaining Premier League games against West Ham, Hull, Newcastle, West Brom and Norwich should yield a significant amount of points, while Everton still have to face both Manchester clubs and a difficult trip to Southampton.

The semi-final with Wigan and prospect of facing Hull or Sheffield United in the FA Cup final could not give Wenger a better opportunity of ending the long wait for a trophy.

Worryingly, though, the margin of defeat at Goodison on Sunday has also given Everton the advantage on goal difference. Could history be about to repeat itself?

Blair had a good run in power, while Katrina and the Waves lasted another two years after winning the 1997 Eurovision Song Contest. It comes to us all in the end.

And maybe Arsene Wenger’s time is finally up.

Step forward: Arsenal did manage a 1-1 draw with title contenders Manchester City

Baron spell: Arsenal haven't won a major trophy since their FA Cup victory in 2005

Last chance saloon: Arsenal must defeat FA Cup holders Wigan to secure a place in the final

Scalp: Wigan have already knocked Manchester City out of this year's FA Cup