Sol Campbell has stressed that the football world should finally stand back and appreciate what Arsene Wenger has done at Arsenal.
The Gunners boss announced last week that he would be leaving the Emirates Stadium at the end of the season following 22 years in the role.
Wenger's tenure has come under intense scrutiny in recent years due to repeated failings in the Premier League and Champions League, not having won the former since their 'Invincibles' season in 2003-04.
Campbell, who played a crucial role in that campaign, believes that the Frenchman's decision to stand down means that it is now time to reflect on the "phenomenal" achievement of a man who has managed more games in Premier League than any other.
"Is there a right time or a wrong time [for Wenger to leave]? The club and he have an agreement so now we can look to his career and what he has done and that is what we should be looking at," the former England defender told the Evening Standard.
"He's managed the most games of any Premier League manager, a phenomenal amount of games he has presided over. We should now look at what he has done for the club and football and appreciate it."
Campbell was signed by Wenger from rivals Tottenham Hotspur in 2001 and spent five seasons at Arsenal, winning two league titles and three FA Cups.
Giuseppe Labellarte
