The last 14 matches, the leanest period of Wenger's 12 years at the club, have produced just three wins, the latest coming on Saturday when they rediscovered their touch and confidence with a 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Reading.
After the double disappointment of slipping out of the title race and Champions League, this victory went some way to re-establishing the feelgood factor at Emirates Stadium.
Theo Walcott celebrated a rare first-team start with an exhilarating performance which could win him a run in the side in the final three games - against Derby, Everton and Sunderland. At 19, Walcott is a player who gives Wenger - and England head coach Fabio Capello - hope for the future.
Gilberto, a goalscorer along with Emmanuel Adebayor on Saturday, said of Walcott: "He can be one of the best players in England but people need to be patient and give him time. He's got amazing pace and ability and the more he works the better he'll get."
Although Wenger is determined to keep his team together, 31-year-old Gilberto could be allowed to leave.
He has only a year to run on his contract and AC Milan and Juventus might tempt him to finish his career in Italy.
His first-team opportunities this season have been limited and he said: "It's been frustrating but I respect the manager's viewpoint and I always do all I can to help the team," he said.
"I really want to stay but I'll sit down with the boss and talk to him about my prospects at the end of the season."
