Arsenal finally wielded the big stick against their Spanish coach, Unai Emery, as the gaffer was on Friday morning eventually sacked, following a run of seven games without a win and long-drawn agitations by The Gunners’ fans for his removal, megasportsarena.com reports.
Officials at the London club then disclosed that one of their former players, now a tactician in their youth ranks, Freddie Ljungberg will take charge on an interim basis, with a view towards getting the team back on track in the English Premier League and UEFA Europa League.
The Gunners’ top brass also pointed to results and performances not being at the level required from Emery, to match the club’s status and aspirations, hence their decision to lay him off.
The 48-year-old replaced Arsene Wenger in May 2018 but was unable to take the club back to the Champions League, finishing fifth last term and losing the Europa League final to Chelsea, while he start of this season has proved a challenge and a 2-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday night proved to be the last straw.
Emery was appointed head coach at Arsenal in 2018 on a two-year deal, succeeding French icon, Arsene Wenger after his 22 years in charge, but the Spaniard has now led the club on their worst run of results since 1992, as Arsenal are without a win in their last seven matches following Thursday’s 2-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League.
The Gunners have won only four of their 13 Premier League games this season and are now eighth, eight points adrift of the Champions League places, and Emery has been sacked after just 18 months in the role due to results and performances not being at the level required.
Arsenal director Josh Kroenke said: “Our most sincere thanks go to Unai 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.”