Arsenal sacks Emery, Ljungberg is caretaker

Emery’s final match in charge was the 1-2 Europa League home defeat to German side Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday (in IST). The result extended Arsenal’s winless run in all competitions to seven games, its worst streak since February 1992.

Spaniard Emery succeeded Arsene Wenger in May 2018 and took Arsenal to the Europa League final last year but frustration with the club’s erratic league form this season has grown, with the side (18 points from 13 matches) sitting eighth on the table.

"The decision has been taken due to results and performances not being at the level required," the club said in a statement here. “We have asked Ljungberg to take responsibility for the first team as interim head coach. We have full confidence in him to take us forward.” Ljungberg, a member of Wenger’s “Invincibles” team that went an entire season unbeaten en route to the 2003-04 PL title, had been appointed assistant coach in June and will now take over while the club searches for a new head coach. While Arsenal can still qualify for the knockout stage of the Europa League, supporters at a half-empty Emirates Stadium made their anger known on Friday by booing the Spaniard.

“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,” Josh Kroenke said on behalf of club owners Kroenke Sports & Entertainment. “We wish Unai and his team nothing but future success.” Emery failed to lead Arsenal back to the Champions League after finishing the previous league season in fifth and losing 1-4 in the Europa League final to Chelsea.