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Arsenal sack Unai Emery with Ljungberg taking over as caretaker – live! – The Guardian, Theguardian.com

Arsenal sack Unai Emery with Ljungberg taking over as caretaker – live! – The Guardian, Theguardian.com


Chelsea must do without Tammy Abraham this weekend after the striker suffered a hip injury in the 2-2 draw at Valencia on Wednesday evening.

Abraham sat out training at Chelsea’s Cobham base on Friday and will definitely miss Saturday’s Premier League clash with West Ham at Stamford Bridge. Michy Batshuayi and Olivier Giroud are waiting in the wings. Here’s Frank Lampard:

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We’ll know by the end of the weekend, he’s got some pain and won’t be involved tomorrow. But then we’ll know by Monday. The other lads have been training well, every day is a work day so whenever chances come they are ready and I have every confidence in them.

There’s no official shortlist for theArsenaljob but I’ve had a plow through your comments for suggestions.

The tongue in cheek factor is high but here goes:

  • Zlatan (player / manager)
  • Tony Pulis
  • Mauricio Pochettino
  • Eddie Howe
  • Harry Redknapp
  • Thierry Henry
  • Sol Campbell
  • Joey Barton

  • Arsene Wenger
  • Tim Sherwood
  • Rafa Benitez
  • Paul Johnson from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (“The media seem to universally agree that he knows everything and what he says is gospel, ”quips Vladimir).

It’s bad news for Fabinho but good news for another Brazilian on Merseyside.

Yes,Richarlisonhas agreed a new contract extension with Everton. The 22 – year-old joined the Toffees from Watford during July 2018 in a deal understood to be worth around £ 40 m. He’s scored five times for Everton this season.

WithUnai Emeryalready gone today, could we see a repeat of Wednesday night’s Apprentice when Sir Alan Lord Sugar double fired Thomas and Marianne?

Everton’s Marco Silva is under the cosh but at least he’ll make it to the weekend it seems. Here is Toffees ’Director of football Marcel Brands speaking on Everton TV. He maintains everyone at the club must put on a united front.

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As a board, we have got to support that. Of course, we know in sport, as always, you have to perform – that’s me, the manager, the players, for everyone. It’s also important, especially in this club, after a couple of years of instability, to stick together in this situation. I think it is important that everyone has the feeling that we can turn this around to better results. Most people know that I always go to the dressing room after the game, to see how the atmosphere is. Of course, everyone was disappointed last Saturday but you saw also really in the eyes of the players the fire that they want to resolve this, to turn this around – together with the whole staff. That’s important coming up towards the next couple of games. They will be tough games but games where we can improve.

Updated

Spurs boss Jose Mourinho is officially sad about Unai Emery’s sacking.

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It is always sad news. I felt it as a kid when my dad was sacked as a manager, I have felt myself when I have been sacked previously. There is not one single manager that is sacked that I am happy about, I always feel deja vu. I am sad, but that is life. Unai is a fantastic coach, not happy atArsenalobviously, but a fantastic coach with a fantastic record. His career will be on track.

Mourinho is also asked about whether he would manage Arsenal one day (although a better question would surely have been which north London club would he have picked had both been available before he took the Spurs job).

********

There is no point to tell it, it didn’t happen. It happened now. I am so happy here that I couldn’t even put the possibility of joining another club. You could point any club in the world in front of me and I would not join.

Arsenal fans – a message from your (temporary) new leader …

Freddie Ljungberg(@ freddie)

However long I oversee@ Arsenalfor I will give everything I have to put smiles on faces again. We have a busy few weeks ahead and the team needs your support. Let’s get to work!pic.twitter.com/WdekcA4h5G

(November) , 2019

Updated

Just two teams have stopped Liverpool winning in 90 minutes at Anfield this season and Brighton will look to become the third on Saturday.

The other two? Napoli on Wednesday night and, you guessed it, the Unai Emery-managedArsenalin that crazy 5-5 draw in the League Cup. (Liverpool won on penalties). “We have to play well and hope they have an off day – but we can influence that and we certainly have to be better than we have been in the last couple of weeks,”says Brighton boss Graham Potter, who is boosted by the return of captain Lewis Dunk after suspension.

Lots of feedback on Unai Emery’s sacking.

ReaderBC 07has summed up today’s news rather neatly in this poem:

Unai Emery
Already a distant memory
The master of underachieving
Thank you and good ebening

Updated

Aston Villa head coach Dean Smith has signed a new four-year contract at the club.

He told the club’s website:

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(I am) really pleased. Obviously it’s a club that I’ve got a strong affection for. I joined last year with a remit to try and get us promoted to the Premier League. We managed to do it last season and obviously that remit changes now to more of the longer term and making sure that we try and get Aston Villa back to where it’s been in previous years.

Updated

Bad news for Fabinho and Liverpool.

The club have announced that the Brazilian midfielder suffered ankle ligament damage in Liverpool’s Champions League match with Napoli on Wednesday night and will be out of action until the New Year. A real blow given that Fabinho has established himself as one of the first names on Jurgen Klopp’s teamsheet. The Reds could play as many as nine games in December so his loss will be magnified.

Not allArsenalfans took the same view on Unai Emery.

To twist a well-known catchphrase from another Emery, “You are awful, but we don’t like you” (one for older readers there) seems the general consensus but reader (Peter Van) has an alternative take.

“I realize the only people on Earth to to espouse this opinion are probably me and Unai Emery’s mom . But please listen, if not to me then to Mrs. Emery: I think this sacking is a mistake. Unai deserved more time. The team improved massively last season compared to the final Wenger years. Some of Unay’s signings – Guendouzi, Torreira, Pepé – are brilliant players who haven’t yet had time to truly settle in. There were some encouraging signs early on this season before the wheels came off in the last month or so. But this sacking is a knee-jerk reaction that will force Arsenal to start from scratch again. I think we will look upon this in a year or so as a massive mistake. ”

Updated (at 8.) am EST

WithUnai Emerydepartingand the ax hovering over Everton boss Marco Silva and West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini, Bournemouth’s Eddie Howe is bound to get some awkward questions thrown his way. And, of course, he had to field some in today’s press conference ahead of the trip to Tottenham.

The Cherries boss, who is under contract at the Vitality Stadium until the end of the 2019 / 2020 season, has a stock answer though:

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I always say it (managerial speculation) is definitely not distracting for me. I shelter myself from any kind of news that doesn’t influence the team I am preparing to play. I always say if I am linked, or my players are linked, with other clubs, then that has to be flattering and viewed as a good thing. But I spend no time focusing on those things.

Updated

An early look at Saturday’s clash between Southampton and Watford …

Updated

It’s inevitable thatUnai Emerywill come out poorly when being compared with early Arsene Wenger.

And here’s readerThomas Atkinsto do exactly that:“Emery inherited a hugely talented squad which needed some defensive discipline. He failed to instill that, and the signings he brought in were uninspiring. Wenger inherited an ageing defense and midfield who many thought were past it and gave them another five years of life, and he brought in Vieira, Petit, Anelka and (I think) Overmars. 18 months in, the team were ready to challenge for the league; at the moment the team can barely challenge for the top 10. ”

Updated

Talking of numbers, here’s Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores.Ahead of Saturday’s trip to fellow strugglers Southampton, the Spaniard is adamant that he won’t drive himself crazy by doing some basic calculations.

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Someone told me that Burnley last year on December 26 had 12 points in 19 games – and in the end, they stayed up really well. But I am not doing this kind of count, it would be crazy to. If you lose your time doing maths it would be crazy.

Updated (at 8. 23 am EST

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgsonhas been talking about not underestimating Burnley this weekend – which seems a bit odd given that Sean Dyche’s men are six places above them in the table.

In other Roy news, he’s played down a move for Liverpool’sRhian Brewster, saying that he couldn’t guarantee the teenage striker first-team football.

Also on many a list for nextArsenalmanger is Eddie Howe. Here’s our very own Ben Fisher’s interview with the Bournemouth boss ahead of the Cherries ’trip to Arsenal’s north London rivals, Tottenham, this weekend.

So, obvious next question ….who will be Unai Emery’s permanent replacement?PA Media have come up with a list of runners and riders:

Massimiliano Allegri

Serial trophy winner as a manager. The 52 – year-old Italian departed Juventus at the end of last season having delivered the Serie A title in each of his five years at the helm, also claiming four Coppa Italia winners’ medals and losing in two Champions League finals. (Odds: 10 / 11)

Nuno Espirito Santo

The Wolves boss was initially linked to theArsenalpost as pressure on Emery began to mount during a string of poor results. Has previous experience of managing at Valencia and Porto but did not enjoy lengthy, successful spells with either. (Odds: 5/1) ************

Mikel Arteta

Ball-playing midfielder spent five years with the Gunners so has those all-important club connections. Yet to sample life as a head coach and currently Pep Guardiola’s trusted right-hand man – helping Man City win back-to-back Premier League titles. (Odds: 6/1)

Freddie Ljungberg

Confirmed as interim head coach following Emery’s sacking.
The former Sweden international has worked as an assistant to Emery, after being promoted during the summer from his previous role as the manager of the club’s under – 23 side. Perhaps can be viewed as the Frank Lampard option. (Odds: 8/1) ************

Patrick Vieira

Captain of Arsenal’s unbeaten ‘Invincibles’ and a man still adored by supporters, Vieira would be an overwhelmingly popular appointment.
He has been steadily building up to such a job having managed Manchester City’s reserves and New York City before taking his current post at Nice last summer. (Odds: 20 / 1)

Others listed by the bookmakers: 8/1Mauricio Pochettino(imagine that!), 12 / 1Carlo Ancelotti(would lead to better results against Liverpool), 16 / 1Rafa Benitez(style issues?)

Updated

(Midday GMT summary) Updated

Another former Arsenal forward, Kevin Campbell, saysArsenalare “a mess”.

Campbell, who was at the club from 1988 – 1995, told BBC 5 Live: “What’s important now is to get a manager in who has some structure where you see a pattern and where players know what they are supposed to do.

“Arsenal right now are a mess, especially without the ball. They need structure and they need a plan. From the outside looking in the managers think: ‘I could manage there’ but the Premier League is a unique league as there are no easy games and every team play you hard. The smaller teams get up for the game, you have to be able to manage the players and Emery failed miserably in the end. ”

After a quiet (!) Morning, time for me to hand over to David Tindall. Thanks for reading!

Updated (at 6.) am EST

Here’s a fascinating new Sport Network piece by Richard Foster about the role of supporter liaison officers at clubs.There’s some pertinent stuff in there, especially given the prominence fans’ groups now have at Premier League clubs…

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Arsenal were the first British club to appoint a supporter liaison officer, when they gave diehard fan (Jill Smith) the job of dealing with her fellow supporters. Mark Brindle succeeded Smith in the job five years ago. He is a full-time employee at the club and goes to every game. Brindle is one of the few SLOs in England who travels to all the club’s away matches, although this is common practice in most of Europe.

“I act as the bridge between the club and the supporters and, significantly, I am now recognized by most fans as well as those within the club,” says Brindle. “SLOs are viewed differently at each club so, for example, we report into different people. My manager is in charge of the travel and events department, whereas many of the others report directly into the stadium management team. ”

Here’s the piece in full…

Jacob Steinberg

News from the Stamford Bridge beat…

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Weirdly Chelsea seem to be the calmest Premier League club in London at the moment. Frank Lampard’s side host West Ham tomorrow and will expect to continue their good run against their struggling rivals, who could sack Manuel Pellegrini soon – however it seems they could be without Tammy Abraham. The striker suffered a hip injury against Valencia on Wednesday and he’s struggling to make it, which could mean Michy Batshuayi starts up front in the league for the first time this season. Encouragingly Abraham posted on Instagram this morning: “I’ll be back soon”.

Updated

Some numbers from Emery’s time in charge at the Emirates…

3wins from 17 games against fellow “top-six” sides across all competitions.
7game winless streak between October and November, 2019 before his sacking.
8away Premier League wins during his time in charge, just one coming in the 2019 – 20 season.
9teenagers played for (Arsenal) under Emery.
15errors leading to goals for the opposition in Premier League games under Emery – more than any other top-flight club in that time.
19points dropped from winning positions.
22matches unbeaten during a fine run of form between August and December 2018.
42 .1– the percentage of Arsenal’s goals scored by either Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang or Alexandre Lacazette under Emery – 64 of the 152 managed during his reign.
43wins from 78 games in charge.
55 percentage from those games. As a comparison Arsène Wenger’s was 57. 2% from 1, 235 matches.

(Source: PA Media)

The formerArsenalforward John Hartson has his say…

Hartson’s time at the club ended the year before Ljungberg arrived as a player.

John Hartson(@ JohnHartson 10)

Ljungberg was a great help to Emery last night .. sat down for 90 mins .. surely you get in the managers ear if you can see what’s going wrong .. Emery had to go.

November 29, 2019

Wayne Rooney makes his managerial debut at Derby tomorrow.

He arrived at Pride Park as player-coach this week but will oversee his team’s game against QPR, alongside manager Phillip Cocu, from the sidelines as he is ineligible to play until 1 January. This from PA Media:

The 34 – year-old, who left MLS outfit DC United in October and has agreed an 18 – month deal, told Rams TV: “I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve watched most of the games. It will be nice to get to Pride Park and meet the supporters. It’s been a long time since it was announced that I’d joined the club, so it will be nice for me but also for the fans.

“Hopefully I can give the players and the fans a lift. It’s always exciting when you join a new club but when you get to meet the fans for the first time, it will be a nice feeling.

“It was important that I came in and got to know the players a bit more as well and over the next month I’ll have time to do that on a day-to-day basis. Home form has been really good, away form not so great. I think if we can try and pick up a few more points – pick up any points at the minute away from home – that will be great and will really help us. I feel if we can win two or three games on the bounce, it will put us in a good position and get us closer to the play-off spots. ”

Derby are currently 14 th in the Championship, six points behind Swansea who Currently occupy the last play-off position.

Updated

Emiliano Martínez, Arsenal’s second-choice goalkeeper, says goodbye to Emery and thinks the players are at fault for the club’s predicament.

It may be a sentiment shared by others at the club, but as Martínez is yet to get on the pitch in the league so far this season, he’s essentially throwing his squadmates under the bus a little. Goalkeeping coach Javi García is among the team to have left the club alongside Emery.

Emiliano Martínez(@ emimartinezz1)

Thank you (@ UnaiEmery_) and Javi I’m sorry we let you down, it’s our fault for not performing the right way, I’m sure we will meet again❤️
(Gracias) @ UnaiEmery _y Javi perdón por haberles fallado es nuestra culpa por no estar a la altura, nos volveremos a ver ❤️pic.twitter.com / 0mTrrjgUMv

(November) , 2019

Updated

Having earlier said “things can’t go on like this” (see 9. 34 am), Arsenal Supporters’ Trust have issued a new, and no less strong, statement in light of the almost instant developments…

Headed ”Arsenal need more change than just a new head coach”, it reads:

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The dismissal ofUnai Emerywas unfortunate but inevitable. Performances and results have been far below what is expected at Arsenal.

But Emery’s departure is the easy part. The more difficult challenge is to recruit a suitable successor. We are far from certain thatArsenalhas the right personnel to lead this process.

The AST has long been advocating that the most important changes needed at Arsenal are in the Boardroom where Arsenal need better governance.

It is a sad fact that the club is now wholly owned by an overseas investment vehicle, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, who are largely absent from London.

This means that the club needs to be governed by a strong Board in London, one that is truly independent and has the expertise and dynamism to drive a football club forward.

Arsenal’s Board currently has no one with football expertise. Its three ‘independent’ members are 85, 79 and 77 years old. None of them have football experience nor reflect the diversity of Arsenal’s playing squads nor supporter base.

A strong Board would be able to hold the club’s executive to account and to provide them with counsel.

Arsenal also need to build better relationships with their supporters especially at the ownership / boardroom level. New appointments to the Board should include looking for people with the skillset to ensure better dialogue with supporters and provide a sense of purpose and direction.

So if Arsenal are to genuinely move forward from today it requires not only a new head coach appointment but also a rejuvenation of the boardroom. ”

Updated

Meanwhile, Premier League managers have been starting to take their Friday press conferences.This from PA Media on news from Newcastle’s Matt Ritchie:

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce said he is devastated by the news that midfielder Ritchie will be missing until the end of January after undergoing a second ankle operation.

Ritchie initially had surgery in October after being hurt in a challenge by Leicester’s Hamza Choudhury, but had to go under the knife for a second time this week after feeling discomfort following his return to training.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Manchester City, Bruce said: “We’re all disappointed.

“There’s nothing worse for a player than when you’ve had an operation like he’d had and the surgeon decides that he needs to do a little bit more. We’re devastated and so is he. We did give him a period of rest, he went to see the specialist again and had the operation again the next morning.

“Unfortunately, that’s what it is. We hope this time that he’s back in training in early January – and it’s nothing too horrific, so they say. Let’s hope this time it’s done the trick. ”

Ljungberg is interim head coach of Arsenal

A little more on the man who will take charge against Norwich on Sunday.

Freddie Ljungberg was part of Arsenal’s league-winning midfields in 2002 and 2004, and only became part of the first-team coaching setup in the summer, having returned to the club as under – 23 s coach in the summer of 2018.

The 42 – year-old Swede has no previous managerial experience, having spent six months as assistant coach at the German club Wolfsburg in 2017 – 18, but will take charge of the team for Sunday’s game at Norwich, with a home game against Brighton to follow on Thursday.

It will be interesting to see how much time Ljungberg gets in the role, as he’d be sure to get a thunderous reception from fans at the Emirates if he is still in the post for their next home game , against Brighton on Thursday (!) at 8. 15 PM GMT (!!).

Updated

Emery has leftArsenalwith the club eighth in the Premier League – eight points behind the top four, and behind both Burnley and Sheffield United.

The Gunners are on a seven-match winless run that began with the home draw against Crystal Palace on 27 October. They were unlucky to lose out on penalties following a 5-5 Carabao Cup thriller against Liverpool, but then drew at home to Wolves in the league and away at Vitoria Guimaraes in Europe, before being outclassed 2-0 at Leicester.

The final straws proved to be last Saturday’s draw at the Emirates against Southampton, where they were extremely fortunate to get a point, while last night’s 2-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in front of a sparse crowd showed the fans were voting with their feet.

Last season his side spluttered to fifth in the league after losing their final three games, but he took Arsenal to the Europa League final thanks to a brilliant 7-3 aggregate win over Valencia. However, it all ended with a 4-1 shoeing by Chelsea in Baku.

This season’s opening two victories in the league proved to be false dawns, and Arsenal have only added two more, with four wins from 13 Premier League games, six draws and three defeats.

Updated

Our news story on Emery’s sacking is now live…

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Arsenal have sacked managerUnai Emeryfollowing the disastrous sequence of results that culminated in Thursday’s 2-1 home defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League in front of a largely empty Emirates Stadium.

The club’s board had publicly backed their manager during the recent international break saying he was “the right man for the job” but that “things need to improve”. However Saturday’s toxic 2-2 draw with struggling Southampton and Thursday’s Europa League defeat seem to have forced their hand and Freddie Ljungberg will take temporary charge of the team.

More here, and doubtless many, many updates to follow later today…

UNAI EMERY SACKED BY ARSENAL!

Arsenal have just releasedthe following statement:

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We announce today that the decision has been taken to part company with our head coachUnai Emeryand his coaching team.

Speaking on behalf of theArsenalboard 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.

Updated

Roland Duchâtelet agrees Charlton sale to East Street Investments

Charlton owner Roland Duchâtelet has agreed to sell his stake in the Championship club to East Street Investments.

The 73 – year-old Belgian’s unpopular spell in charge of the Addicks will come to an end if the deal is approved by the Football League.

East Street Investments chairman Matt Southall said in a statement: “We are privileged to take ownership of such an historic club and it is incredibly exciting to be part of the process of building a fresh future for the fans, loyal club staff and players ofCharlton Athletic.

More here…

Liverpool reveal plans to expand Anfield capacity above 60, 000

Understandably, events atArsenaldominate the football news agenda this morning.This remains your full countdown to all the weekend’s action, however. And first cab off the rank this morning was word from Anfield thatdraft plans now exist for a new 16, 000 – seat Anfield Road stand, which would take the stadium’s capacity over 60, 000. The club have launched a public consultation exercise today. This from Andy Hunter…

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The designs, part of a public consultation exercise launched on Friday, are for a new 16, 000 – seat stand that will increase the stadium’s capacity by 7, 000. A planning application for an extra 4, 800 seats at Anfield Road was allowed to lapse in September in favor of the more ambitious scheme.

Liverpool’s plans are at the draft stage and do not include details such as an opening date, whether safe standing will feature or ticket prices, although the majority of the extra seats will be general admission. The development depends on the success of the public consultation, a second stage of which is planned for early next year, together with the planning application and the financial viability of the scheme. The club intends to pay for the construction via its existing banking facilities.

Here’s Andy news story in full…

Updated

Arsenal’s official attendance last night, in terms of “tickets sold”, was 49, 419.

This in itself would be well over 10, 000 down on the Emirates’ capacity of 60, 260, but as the AST suggested, many, many fans stayed away for the match, tickets in hand or not. Those who did make the journey witnessed a sorry Europa League display, with their sidelosing 2-1 to Eintracht Frankfurt.

Arsenal lost the match 2-1.
Arsenal lost the match 2-1. Photograph: Chloe Knott – Danehouse / Getty Images

Empty seats at the Emirates.
Empty seats at the Emirates. Photograph: Charlotte Wilson / Offside via Getty Images

Updated

A prominent fans’ group say supporters have reached the end of their tether with Emery

This from PA Media:

Raul Sanllehi, the club’s head of football, and managing director Vinai Venkatesham publicly backed Emery during the international break but results have not improved and theArsenal Supporters’ Trustare demanding a response.

“Last night more than half of Arsenal’s season-ticket holders didn’t bother attending the match despite having paid for their tickets. Those that did were left frustrated and angry at a performance and defeat that represented Arsenal’s worst run of results since 1992, ”they posted on Twitter.

“Things can’t go on like this. The club needs decisive action to address this. There should also be greater accountability from the new football management personnel as to what they are doing to address Arsenal’s decline. ”

AST(@ AST_arsenal)

Things can’t go on like this. The club needs decisive action to address this. There should also be greater accountability from the new football management personnel as to what they are doing to address Arsenal’s decline.pic.twitter.com/weoJFCwZVp

(November) , 2019

Updated

Preamble: Ljungberg preparing to replace Emery

Jacob Steinberg

Freddie Ljungberg is preparing to take over as Arsenal’s caretaker manager after the club lost patience withUnai Emeryfollowing an awful run of form.

Emery could be sacked as early as Friday afterThursday’s Europa League defeat by Eintracht Frankfurtin front of a sparse crowd at the Emirates Stadium.

There is serious unrest at the team’s downward spiral and Ljungberg, who played for the club between 1998 and 2007, is standing by to take over.

Ljungberg has impressed since joiningArsenalas a coach and has been part of Emery’s backroom staff this season. The Swede is eager to become a manager and it is hoped he will energise a disgruntled fanbase.

Updated

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