Arsenal boss Unai Emery saw his side succumb 4-1 to Chelsea in the Europa League final as a brace from Hazard and goals from Giroud and Pedro ensured that the Blues are getting their hand on the European honours while Arsenal miss out on the trophy as well as a ticket to the Champions League.
For Arsenal, this game was their only chance of paying back to there fans especially after finishing fifth in the Premier League table and they got it all wrong as they lost to Chelsea. The victory in Baku meant Chelsea have won three European honours in seven years, with the Champions League victory in 2012 followed by their first Europa League title in 2013. However, following the game, some fans had called for the club to sack Emery following a disastrous season.
According to the Daily Mail, Emery’s position at the Emirates is still not under threat. The Emirates chief was already aware that the first season under a new manager would be a season of transition following the departure of Arsene Wenger after a span of 22 years.
Following the game, Emery said: “We knew it would be difficult, and we are in our process. I want to tell all the supporters that we are in this process. Really the first goal has not been achieved this year, but I think we are closer, firstly in the Premier League, and second in this competition, playing the final.”
“Next year is a big challenge for us to take one more step on our way, in our will with the young players. We are disappointed today, but in general, I think we made a new step in improving and being competitive. We will have to take one more step next year.”
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The Daily Mail also added in their report that there are some ‘dissenting’ voices behind the scenes who believe that Emery has done a very poor job in taking the club ahead. Let’s see whether Emery will be given a second chance or not, with Arsenal starting their pre-season friendlies with a game against Colorado on 16th July.
Emery had started off his debut season strong after a shaky start, though it didn’t end in the most perfect way. However, there were quite a few positives for the Spanish manager and his team, which he would now live to carry forward into the next term. The north London giants will want to focus on bringing in more quality stars in the squad and it will be interesting to see which players they target now.
The main problem for them will be the fact that the owner doesn’t really offer them a transfer budget and they will have to buy players based on what they get. This limits down the choices and narrows down the options, though there is still a high possibility that Emery can get in players that can help his cause. Hopefully the stars that do come in, can deliver on the promise that the manager has shown in his first season at the Emirates.