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Unai Emery under extra pressure from Arsenal board ahead of Liverpool Carabao Cup clash
Arsenal boss Unai Emery’s job is far from secure ahead of their meeting with Liverpool.
Arsenal fan says Unai Emery 'needs to go' in fiery rant
Arsenal boss Unai Emery is under extra pressure ahead of the Carabao Cup clash against Liverpool on Wednesday.
The Gunners threw away another two-goal lead to hand Crystal Palace a point on Sunday, while Granit Xhaka’s outburst stole the headlines.
His response to being substituted has been widely criticised and many supporters have called for him to be stripped of the captaincy, while Emery has been slammed for not taking decisive action.
The former Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla boss revealed after the game that he would ask the players for their opinions, which is how he came to hand the Swiss the armband earlier this season.
The Sun have now claimed that the 47-year-old has been put under intense pressure ahead of their tie against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, with Arsenal chiefs running out of patience.
Arsenal have shown little improvement since Emery took over from veteran boss Arsene Wenger in 2018, with the failure to qualify for the Champions League in his first full season seen as a massive disappointment.
Despite another poor result at the weekend, fan favourite Hector Bellerin has come out in support of his manager.
Bellerin stated: “This team has evolved a lot since the beginning of last season. When the board sign a manager like Unai, they know it’s all part of a process.
“He has his own ideas – and he’s done so well at Sevilla, Valencia and Paris Saint-Germain that everyone trusts in the manager.
“If you take away the last three games from last year, it would have been a very positive season.
“Sometimes things don’t go your way – as on Thursday [against Vitoria] when we’re 2-1 down with 10 minutes to go.
“But it’s about turning it around and showing character. We have that at the club.”
On the situation involving Xhaka, club hero Charlie Nicholas has suggested that he should never be picked to captain Arsenal again.
“Xhaka may be the current captain but I don't think he will be the captain anymore after what he did at the weekend,” Nicholas told Sky Sports News.
“The fact that he didn't instantly apologise to the fans about his behaviour tells you that he's probably upset and angry.
"I would imagine it's a horrible feeling being in the position he's in right now, but that anger must be controlled.”