As reported exclusively by The Athletic this morning, Unai Emery has been sacked as Arsenal head coach today after 18 months in charge.



The 48-year-old Spaniard succeeded Arsene Wenger on May 23, 2018 and led the club to the Europa League final last season. They spent heavily in the summer transfer window and made a reasonable start to this campaign, losing only one of 11 matches.



But an alarming dip in form and confidence has seen the Gunners fail to record a victory across seven games in all competitions and amid growing discontent among players, staff and supporters, speculation over Emery’s future has intensified. Arsenal are eighth in the Premier League table, eight points off the top four.



With the former Valencia, Sevilla and Paris Saint-Germain boss under contract until 2021, he was given the full support of Arsenal’s hierarchy in both public and private. The intention of the club was to review the situation next summer.



However,...