Various Arsenal supporters’ groups have issued a collaborative statement addressing “grave concerns” over the club’s future, including a “seemingly inexorable slide” in form, a lack of leadership from the hierarchy and the “toxic atmosphere” at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal’s dire 2-2 draw with Southampton – the club’s sixth successive game in all competitions without a victory – was marred by boos and chants of “we want [Unai] Emery out” from a section of fans.
A previous #WeCareDoYou petition was signed by over 100,000 supporters, prompting an improvement in communication from senior figures at the club, including owner Stan Kroenke’s son, Josh, and managing director Vinai Venkatesham.
However, fan groups now say that the levels of communication have completely eroded, with the “drip-feed” of information “unacceptable and “unsatisfactory”.
The statement, released on Sunday evening, read: “In July we issued a statement from a number of key Arsenal groups, outlining our concerns at the direction of our football club. A supporting petition was signed by over 100,000 individual Arsenal fans who not only felt a disconnect from the club but also had grave concerns about our future.
1/16 Who could succeed Unai Emery at Arsenal?
Here are 15 candidates ranked who could replace Unai Emery at the Emirates.
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2/16 15. Thierry Henry (Montreal)
After his catastrophic reign at Monaco, the chances of Henry returning to north London are far slimmer. However, if he’s successful in his new role with Montreal, he would still share a connection with Arsenal’s temperamental fan base like no other candidate.
AFP via Getty Images
3/16 14. Nuno Espirito Santo (Wolves)
The Wolves manager has had great success leading the side from the Championship to the Europa League. He’s still relatively young in managerial terms and could also bring close ties with ‘superagent’ Jorge Mendes.
Getty
4/16 13. Marcello Gallardo (River Plate)
Linked with Barcelona as the successor to Ernesto Valverde, Arsenal could nip ahead in the race for the Argentine after River Plate’s defeat to Flamengo in the Copa Libertadores final.
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5/16 12. Rafael Benitez (Dalian Yifang)
Although only recently moving to China after ending his reign at Newcastle, the proposition of taking over at Arsenal would likely be too hard for the Spaniard to refuse. He would bring endless experience to the role, however, his appointment would not be a long-term solution.
Getty Images
6/16 11. Diego Simeone (Atletico)
Clubs have found it impossible to prise the Argentine away from Atletico, however, after eight years in Madrid, with the club undergoing a period of transition, Arsenal might be able to lure him away.
Getty
7/16 10. Eddie Howe (Bournemouth)
The Englishman has been considered by a host of top Premier League teams but usually as a second-choice. Could Arsenal be the ones to throw their weight behind him after such a successful spell at Bournemouth?
Getty
8/16 9. Ralf Rangnick
The architect of much of Red Bull’s footballing success, Rangnick has been subject to interest from a host of Europe’s elite clubs, including Arsenal. With Manchester United also mooted to be interested, it remains to be seen whether he’d consider a move to north London an attractive proposition.
Getty
9/16 8. Carlo Ancelotti (Napoli)
The situation at Napoli has become toxic over the past few weeks with players revolting against the ownership. Ancelotti was keen on the vacant Tottenham role and, on a short-term basis, he could be seen as a safe pair of hands to guide Arsenal through a troubled period.
AFP via Getty Images
10/16 7. Julian Nagelsmann (RB Leipzig)
The 32-year-old is widely acknowledged as the best young manager in football and someone Arsenal could seek to build a long-term plan around. However, they are far from the only club interested in tempting the German away from Leipzig.
Peter Kovalev/TASS
11/16 6. Patrick Viera (Nice)
The former Arsenal captain has always been linked with a return to the club and would surely be interested in the role. The ball is instead with the Gunners’ hierarchy to deem whether Vieira is ready after spells in New York and Nice.
Getty
12/16 5. Max Allegri (Free agent)
The hugely successful former Juventus manager remains without a club after leaving the Italian champions in the summer after a disappointing Champions League run. He was included in Arsenal’s shortlist to replace Arsene Wenger.
AFP/Getty Images
13/16 4. Brendan Rodgers (Leicester City)
The former Liverpool manager is flying with Leicester and, after already being considered by the Gunners in the past, he would surely be one of their leading candidates – if he’s willing to leave the Foxes.
Getty Images
14/16 3. Freddie Ljungberg (Arsenal)
If Unai Emery is dismissed, it’s believed Ljungberg – his assistant – will at least be given a run of games to see whether he can carry the Gunners until the end of the season. If that spell turns out to be a success, there’s no reason why Arsenal wouldn’t continue with the well-liked Swede.
Getty
15/16 2. Mikel Arteta (Manchester City assistant)
Pep Guardiola’s assistant came close to taking the job at Arsenal before Unai Emery’s arrival. Whether he would be willing to depart the Premier League champions and a position as Guardiola’s successor remains a doubt. However, after studying under the greatest manager in football today, the former Arsenal midfielder’s potential is enormous and he’s already garnered great respect from senior figures and players at City.
PA
16/16 1. Mauricio Pochettino (Free agent)
The Argentine has publicly claimed he wouldn’t manage Spurs’ north London rivals. He’d also undoubtedly prefer a role at Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or PSG. However, he remains the clear betting favourite to replace Unai Emery and would surely be coveted by the Arsenal hierarchy – no matter how unlikely.
1/16 Who could succeed Unai Emery at Arsenal?
Here are 15 candidates ranked who could replace Unai Emery at the Emirates.
Getty
2/16 15. Thierry Henry (Montreal)
After his catastrophic reign at Monaco, the chances of Henry returning to north London are far slimmer. However, if he’s successful in his new role with Montreal, he would still share a connection with Arsenal’s temperamental fan base like no other candidate.
AFP via Getty Images
3/16 14. Nuno Espirito Santo (Wolves)
The Wolves manager has had great success leading the side from the Championship to the Europa League. He’s still relatively young in managerial terms and could also bring close ties with ‘superagent’ Jorge Mendes.
Getty
4/16 13. Marcello Gallardo (River Plate)
Linked with Barcelona as the successor to Ernesto Valverde, Arsenal could nip ahead in the race for the Argentine after River Plate’s defeat to Flamengo in the Copa Libertadores final.
Getty
5/16 12. Rafael Benitez (Dalian Yifang)
Although only recently moving to China after ending his reign at Newcastle, the proposition of taking over at Arsenal would likely be too hard for the Spaniard to refuse. He would bring endless experience to the role, however, his appointment would not be a long-term solution.
Getty Images
6/16 11. Diego Simeone (Atletico)
Clubs have found it impossible to prise the Argentine away from Atletico, however, after eight years in Madrid, with the club undergoing a period of transition, Arsenal might be able to lure him away.
Getty
7/16 10. Eddie Howe (Bournemouth)
The Englishman has been considered by a host of top Premier League teams but usually as a second-choice. Could Arsenal be the ones to throw their weight behind him after such a successful spell at Bournemouth?
Getty
8/16 9. Ralf Rangnick
The architect of much of Red Bull’s footballing success, Rangnick has been subject to interest from a host of Europe’s elite clubs, including Arsenal. With Manchester United also mooted to be interested, it remains to be seen whether he’d consider a move to north London an attractive proposition.
Getty
9/16 8. Carlo Ancelotti (Napoli)
The situation at Napoli has become toxic over the past few weeks with players revolting against the ownership. Ancelotti was keen on the vacant Tottenham role and, on a short-term basis, he could be seen as a safe pair of hands to guide Arsenal through a troubled period.
AFP via Getty Images
10/16 7. Julian Nagelsmann (RB Leipzig)
The 32-year-old is widely acknowledged as the best young manager in football and someone Arsenal could seek to build a long-term plan around. However, they are far from the only club interested in tempting the German away from Leipzig.
Peter Kovalev/TASS
11/16 6. Patrick Viera (Nice)
The former Arsenal captain has always been linked with a return to the club and would surely be interested in the role. The ball is instead with the Gunners’ hierarchy to deem whether Vieira is ready after spells in New York and Nice.
Getty
12/16 5. Max Allegri (Free agent)
The hugely successful former Juventus manager remains without a club after leaving the Italian champions in the summer after a disappointing Champions League run. He was included in Arsenal’s shortlist to replace Arsene Wenger.
AFP/Getty Images
13/16 4. Brendan Rodgers (Leicester City)
The former Liverpool manager is flying with Leicester and, after already being considered by the Gunners in the past, he would surely be one of their leading candidates – if he’s willing to leave the Foxes.
Getty Images
14/16 3. Freddie Ljungberg (Arsenal)
If Unai Emery is dismissed, it’s believed Ljungberg – his assistant – will at least be given a run of games to see whether he can carry the Gunners until the end of the season. If that spell turns out to be a success, there’s no reason why Arsenal wouldn’t continue with the well-liked Swede.
Getty
15/16 2. Mikel Arteta (Manchester City assistant)
Pep Guardiola’s assistant came close to taking the job at Arsenal before Unai Emery’s arrival. Whether he would be willing to depart the Premier League champions and a position as Guardiola’s successor remains a doubt. However, after studying under the greatest manager in football today, the former Arsenal midfielder’s potential is enormous and he’s already garnered great respect from senior figures and players at City.
PA
16/16 1. Mauricio Pochettino (Free agent)
The Argentine has publicly claimed he wouldn’t manage Spurs’ north London rivals. He’d also undoubtedly prefer a role at Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or PSG. However, he remains the clear betting favourite to replace Unai Emery and would surely be coveted by the Arsenal hierarchy – no matter how unlikely.
“Since then we have been told to ‘get excited’ and to support the team. As Arsenal supporters we have done both.
“There exist many issues raised in our first statement, that remain unaddressed by the club. Whilst these matters have not gone away, it is the overall alarming and desperate state of things, on and off the pitch, that need urgent action and take precedent amongst our concerns. Until the club and especially the senior management structure, is running efficiently, effectively and ambitiously, then few other issues can, or will, be satisfactorily resolved.
“The early optimism of summer, around what appeared to be good business and positive signings, has given way to renewed concerns about our overall direction and the leadership of our owner. It feels like the club is rudderless and floating aimlessly, unsure of its destination.
“It appears that reported unrest in the dressing room is affecting our performances on the pitch and the board’s clearly stated target of a top-four finish at season end, looks in serious danger with barely a quarter of the season played.
“We spoke about never feeling less valued and this has continued with an astounding lack of communication from the club. We understand it is The Arsenal Way to deal with issues internally but the current communication vehicle – the drip feed and leaks to certain journalists – is unacceptable and unsatisfactory.
“Communication on the whole has been dealt with poorly, and the tactics used only add to the confusion, uncertainty and unrest amongst the fanbase – which in turn is motivating our opponents, who can clearly see we’re in trouble.
“As documented in our initial statement, Stan Kroenke made his ambitions for the club clear: ‘KSE’s ambitions for the club are to see it competing consistently to win the Premier League and the Champions League’. We still see no evidence of this, and current form would suggest that we are moving ever further from these goals.
“We raised previously the need for new and dynamic appointments at board level; people with Arsenal DNA are needed at this time more than ever. Sadly, the club’s reaction to this recommendation has been as unresponsive dismissal of it. Can we assume you are still satisfied that the right people are in the right positions, as Vinai suggested they were at July’s end of season supporters’ event? Again, the evidence so far this season implies an intrinsic lack of understanding, ambition, appetite and ability to take us forward.
“Following our statement in the summer, Josh Kroenke made an announcement implying that an ambitious KSE had arrived to save the day and secure the club’s future. The fact is that KSE acquired a controlling share of Arsenal in 2011 and had significant influence prior to that.
“The last decade, notwithstanding the FA Cup wins, can legitimately be seen as lost years, both on and off the field, when the team has not only stagnated but actually regressed. To date, that is the legacy of the ‘Kroenke years’.
“While our away support continues to be magnificent, our home crowds are starting to deplete and this situation will be further compounded by what will soon become a toxic atmosphere if the current turmoil and lack of true leadership at the club continues to translate into poor performances on the pitch.
“We want commitment that the board recognises the issues faced by the club, and how severe these are for the future of The Arsenal. As supporters we want actual communication and measurable assurances from the board, that actions are in place to address this seemingly inexorable slide.
“As many great managers have said over the years, everyone involved with The Arsenal must ‘Remember who you are, what you are and who you represent.
“#WeCareDoYou.”