Arsenal finally sacked Unai Emery following a disastrous run of results, the latest being a 2-1 defeat in the Europa League against Eintracht Frankfurt, with Freddie Ljungberg appointed as interim manager.
While there was initially some positivity at Unai Emery’s appointment, his first season at Arsenal was unconvincing and his last seven games in charge were winless – the first time Arsenal have experienced such a run since 1992.
Now, Arsenal have officially relieved Emery, the former Sevilla boss of his duties, releasing a statement which declares:
“Our most sincere thanks go to Unai Emery and his colleagues who were unrelenting in their efforts to get the club back to competing at the level we all expect and demand. We wish Unai and his team nothing but future success.”
“The decision has been taken due to results and performances not being at the level required.
“We have asked Freddie Ljungberg to take responsibility for the first team as interim head coach. We have full confidence in Freddie to take us forward.
Thursday night’s result leaves Arsenal needing a positive result at Standard Liege to be certain of a spot in the last 32 of the Europa League, with boos greeting the players at the end of the Frankfurt loss.
‘Emery Out’ posters were present through the stadium, with the fans who made the journey making their views on their languishing manager clear to see. Other fans showed how they felt by simply not turning up.
Arsenal are also well adrift of the top four spots in the Premier League thanks to their recent winless run, with the north London outfit eight points behind Chelsea ahead of their trip to Norwich on Sunday.
In Numbers: Unai Emery’s Poor Run of Results as Arsenal Manager
18 – This season has seen Arsenal pick up only 18 points from their first 13 matches; their worst-ever start to a Premier League campaign; ahead of 1994-95 under George Graham. Listless.
7 – Arsenal have not won any of their last seven matches in all competitions (D5 L2) – they never went on as poor a run across 1235 games under Arsène Wenger, last waiting this long for a win in February 1992 under George Graham (8 games). Denouement.
Source: Opta
