Arsenal boss Unai Emery has come under increased scrutiny since the Gunners were held to a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium by Nuno Espirito Santo’s Wolverhampton Wanderers. The recent poor run of results has led to talk of the club cutting Emery’s tenure short with Jose Mourinho being touted as a potential replacement for the former Paris Saint-Germain boss.
According to a report in the Mirror, Emery has a month to turn things around at Arsenal but in the eyes of some supporters, that’s too long and there is a growing concern the top four could be out of reach if another month is allowed to pass with none or very little improvement. Arsenal face Leicester City on Saturday and, if they were to suffer defeat Brendan Rodgers’ side, the Foxes could be nine points clear of the Gunners.
Can that month be October?
— The Gooners Podcast (@TheGoonersPod) November 4, 2019
Sadly I think it’s time to let him go now; the pressure is intolerable now it will only get worst; you can’t go into games with the mindset we are in at the moment
— Kenny Ken (@KennyKen1972) November 4, 2019
Why give him another month? We are just gonna be even further behind to make top 4!
— Miles Coughlan (@CoughlanMiles) November 4, 2019
Give him until Saturday! Sack him during the international break and let’s regroup
— Starboikay (@starboikay) November 4, 2019
Nothing will change in that month an we’ll be even further behind
— Nicky hunt (@tredboi82) November 4, 2019
And there are growing concerns persisting with Emery will not only cost the club Champions League football but that it could hamper their club in their efforts to tie Lacazette and Aubameyang down to new contracts.
That month will cost us UCL football and Laca and Auba leaving in the summer. Mark my words.
— NYkola25 (@cercilbog) November 4, 2019
Another month of this and Laca and Auba are DEFINITELY moving on.
— Always Catching Envy (@CatchingEnvy) November 4, 2019
What do we think?
Arsenal’s current position is far from irretrievable. Despite the Gunners’ poor run of results, they have lost just twice in the Premier League this season, only Liverpool have lost fewer games. They are currently six points off of the top four and with 27 games remaining it’s certainly not a disaster.
However, the concern has been the lacklustre performances and the five draws Emery’s side have been held to. The feeling around Arsenal is that given the squad they were able to assemble over the summer, Emery has the tools to restore their Champions League status.
Perhaps the fact that the Europa League offers an alternative qualification route will give the Spaniard some breathing space for the time being at least, but unless things improve drastically, it’s difficult to see Emery continuing at the club beyond this season. If Arsenal were to pull the trigger before Christmas, it would certainly show the club mean business and provide evidence regarding the shift in culture at the top.