At a time when speculations and demands have gone high among the Arsenal supporters to oust Unai Emery, a former Gunners player has suggested the name of a Liverpool legend for the managerial role of the club.
According to Emmanuel Petit, Emery should leave immediately as he feels the Spaniard is not a respected figure in the dressing room any more and lacks the passion to run a great club like Arsenal.
“I believe it’s time for Unai Emery to leave Arsenal. The results are not good at all. I don’t recognise this team anymore and I don’t recognise this club anymore. My opinion is that most of the players have given up on Emery, so it’s time for him to go”, Petit was quoted by goal.com.
Stressing on the fact that Arsenal need “great leader” Petit suggested former Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard’s name as Emery’s replacement.
“The club needs a great leader now. Someone who can bring back the passion, someone respected by the players, someone who can fill the team with energy and the winning mentality.Steven Gerrard, for example, is like this,” Petit said.
He even suggested that the club management can try to give the reins of team to a former Arsenal player himself. “People may laugh at me but I wouldn’t mind seeing a former player on the bench,” he said.
“Is there a former Arsenal great you can call, like Thierry Henry or Patrick Vieira? Pick one: there are so many. You even have Freddie Ljungberg already in the dugout,” Petit added.
Managers like former Juventus boss Massimilano Allegri and ex-Manchester United man Jose Mourinho have also been linked with rumours of replacing Emery in the near the future.
Off late, Arsenal have been in the middle of an on and off-field controversy after club captain Xhaka was stripped of his role due to his open confrontation with the Arsenal supporters at the Emirates.
The 27-year-old was booed away when he was substituted in the Premier League game against Crystal Palace which ended in a 2-2 draw. The Swiss footballer reached a boiling point and was seen shouting abusive words to the fans.
Following the incident, the club management has distanced itself with the player and manager Emery even went on to say that he might not play a game for the Gunners again suggesting a winter exit for him.