Is Wenger finally starting to crack?

When a man renowned for his studious approach to football and his measured response to media interviews loses his cool in public the big question is: has he just demonstrated his passion to ride out the storm — or is he melting under the pressure?

As so often in recent times Arsene Wenger is dividing opinion because his astonishing outburst during a pre-match interview for tonight’s crucial Champions League tie against Bayern Munich has rather knocked Arsenal reporters for six.

When you consider Wenger has been at the club for 16 years and journalists have interviewed him up to four times a week for most of that period — one before each game and once after — then to hear correspondents talk about this latest interview as the most animated and explosive they have ever seen from the Frenchman is truly significant.