Black Friday for Unai Emery

When the season began I never thought I would be writing this post. I really didn’t. But here we are. Unai Emery has been sacked.
Here’s the official announcement from the Arsenal Football Club.

Speaking on behalf of the Arsenal board and our owners Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, 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.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.
The search for a new head coach is underway and we will make a further announcement when that process is complete.”

Now, we can only hope KSE and the board hasn’t waited too long. The team is in total chaos, lacks confidence on the pitch, and doesn’t seem to be on the same page. We have no idea how this decision will split opinions inside the team’s dressing room either, but one thing is for certain, the club’s supporters are singing once again!

Unai Emery leaves after 18 moths in charge. Last season his team clawed their way to a 5th place finish in the Premiere League, then got hammered by Chelsea in the Europa League final to finish the year. Emery’s overall record with the club was 43 wins, 15 draws, and 20 defeats. Though he seems to be a wonderful fellow, and worked very hard to learn English, Emery’s tactics and team management skills never caught on with his players or supporters at the Emirates. Let’s wish him good health, happiness, and success in his future.

Now that Emery has left, Freddie Ljungberg has been put in charge, temporarily. Obviously, Freddie has his work cut out for him. First, he needs to unite the squad, heal any internal wounds opened by Emery, plus find some defensive steel and create tactics so we can score more goals. Thank goodness we play Norwich City this weekend instead of teams like Wolves or Chelsea. How many times have we seem a team rise to the occasion the game following a manager’s sacking? Just look at Tottenham. They are 2-0 since “The Special One” arrived at Spurs. One can only hope Arsenal can make the same about face this weekend.

The next question, when will Arsenal name a new manager? Now, next month, or next summer? There are a number of good candidates to consider, including:
Mikel Arteta, Mauricio Ponchettino, Massimiliano Allegri, Carlo Ancelotti, Brendan Rodgers, Nuno Espirito Santo, and of course, Freddie Ljungberg.

Let’s hope, this time, they find the right guy! We do not want to repeat the mistakes Manchester United has made since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Keep your chins up my fellow Gooners, the season is not lost. The club needs our support, our cheers, and all of our best wishes going forward!

If you have a comment click on the date at the top of the post, or just send me an email at yankeegooner1953@yahoo.com.

Cheers. Gunner1953