Silva played for Arsenal between 2002 to 2008 and was part of the invincible team that won the Premier League in 2004 without losing a game that season.

The former Brazil international thinks it’s time his former boss, Wenger leave Arsenal.

Silva believes his former manager can not compete against his younger rivals, Antonio Conte, Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp and the spending power of their respective clubs.

“I feel that the time has come,” the Brazilian told Sport 360.

“The more the past is coming to a close, the more his time is coming - not because he can't do the job any longer, but, perhaps because the other clubs have changed their way of working, the way of doings things.

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“He hasn't changed much, he hasn't changed his way of working - not because he doesn't want to, but it is not so easy to compete with clubs who spend a lot of money every season.

“Wenger has spent a lot more years than them (Conte, Guardiola and Klopp) in the Premier League. They are younger and motivated and they have a lot of energy to look around and source ways to win against Wenger.

“He has his own way of working, in which he believes. Irrespective of whether you are either a young or an old coach, you have to believe in something, and that's what he does.”

After the collapse of their Premier League challenge, Wenger has top four and the FA Cup title to battle for.

He will lead Arsenal into the second leg of theirChampions League after losing 5-1 in the first leg.