Unai Emery: A Matter Of Time

Photo Credit to AFCSTUFF via Twitter

Premier League

Unai Emery: A Matter Of Time

Is it just a matter of time before Emery goes?

“It’s time to go”, bellowed an angry Claude on the famous Arsenal Fan TV channel after Arsenal lost 2-1 to City. That result was December 16th, 2016. Arsene Wenger resigned the season after, much to the delight of countless Arsenal fans. The club had continually regressed. The fans felt they needed a new voice. A new leader to carry them from the abyss. Unai Emery was appointed on the 23rd of May 2018.

Good Ebening

A new era for Arsenal. And a new voice, which came with a punchline. Every post-match interview, Emery opened with a subtle, “Good ebening”, a cute gesture at first, but now boils blood on every mention.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CtNLQeyDRM&w=560&h=315

Emery’s first 10 games in the league looked positive. Two defeats to start off the campaign to City and Chelsea were followed by 7 wins and one draw. Positive stuff, and results Arsenal could be proud of in truth.

A win in the derby against Spurs as well as a 2-2 draw against Man United was even more impressive, but then the defeats started to flood in. Southampton first, 3-2 away from home. Then Spurs exacted revenge in the league cup quarter-final. Humiliation would follow on the 29th of December, in a 5-1 drubbing at Liverpool.

A month later Jesse Lingard was dancing at the Emirates, and Arsenal were out of another cup.

Arsenal finished 5th, a point off top four. They also finished runners up in the Europa League. Missing out in a 4-1 defeat to rivals Chelsea.

Overall not the worst season for Emery. A trip to a major European final, and a point off top four.

It’s time to go: Part 2

Fast forward to 27th October 2019, Claude was back with the same statement he offered Emery’s predecessor a year and a half earlier.

Arsenal has been deplorable for large parts this season. Four wins from the opening 13 games tell a sorry story, the teams they’ve lost and drawn against tell an even worse one. Watford, Palace, and Southampton all picked up a point at Arsenal, and were arguably lucky not to take all three from the gunners. Record signing Nicolas Pepe has been indifferent, only mustering 1 goal and 2 assists in 12 appearances all season in the league.

The following is not great reading for Emery or Arsenal. Wenger was sacked as a result of the way them games went, will Emery suffer the same faith?

Should he stay or go? Let us know below!

Written by Dylan McBennett

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