Arsene Wenger has come in for the most criticism he has ever faced after Arsenal’s FA Cup loss to Blackburn Rovers, and one of his former players is adding to the pressure on Twitter.

Mikael Silvestre, who Wenger signed from Manchester United in 2008 and made 43 appearances in the Gunners’ defence, tweeted a tongue-in-cheek picture of an empty Arsenal trophy cabinet, calling on Patrick Vieira to return to the club to help his former manager.

Vieira, who played 406 games for the club over nine seasons, is rumoured to be the favourite to replace Arsenal’s head of youth development Liam Brady.

Silvestre, 35, who will play for either the Portland Timbers or Seattle Sounders in the upcoming MLS season, pointed to the fact that Arsenal have not won a trophy since moving to the Emirates Stadium from Highbury in 2006.

Fans replied angrily to the defender’s message, with one Twitter user posting: ‘Thanks for all your help in addressing that during your time at the club Mikael, one of our worst signings ever.’

Another wrote: ‘For someone who was so bad when playing for Arsenal, you've really got some nerve posting that. Disrespectful fool’

Vieira is currently in a football development role at Manchester City, where he ended his career in 2011.