Arsenal head coach Unai Emery is facing a fight to prevent his first season in charge falling apart amid doubts surrounding his team selections and tactics.

And the Gunners’ summer plans are in danger of slipping into limbo while the club try to appoint a director of football and wait to find out whether or not they will qualify for the Champions League.

Some members of the current squad have been left confused by Emery’s team selections and set-up over Arsenal’s three-game losing run that has put his first season in charge on the brink of collapse.

His selection for the home defeat to Crystal Palace, when Mohamed Elneny played next to Matteo Guendouzi in midfield, and Carl Jenkinson started a right wing-back, was particularly bizarre.

Arsenal had momentum following an impressive Europa League victory over Napoli, but the Palace result knocked the wind out of their sails and Emery’s side have now conceded three goals in all three of their defeats.