Flights, meetings and secret talks - How Emery's Arsenal fate was sealed

The decision to sack the former Gunners boss was made before Thursday night's defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League

Unai Emery’s Arsenal fate had been sealed well before Thursday night’s Europa League clash with Eintracht Frankfurt had even kicked off.

The decision to sack the 48-year-old had in fact been taken days earlier on the other side of the Atlantic after talks between the Arsenal hierarchy and owner Stan Kroenke.

Following Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Southampton, which saw Arsenal booed from the field by their own supporters, head of football Raul Sanllehi and managing director Vinai Venkatesham flew to America to meet with Kroenke and his son Josh.

 

The visit was pre-arranged, but Emery’s future dominated the discussion with Sanllehi and Venkatesham recommending that the Spaniard be dismissed.

The Kroenkes, who up to then had continued to back Emery, agreed and the decision was taken that he was to be sacked.

But Sanllehi and Venkatesham did not inform Emery of that decision when they returned to London and he was instead allowed to take charge of Thursday’s game against Frankfurt at Emirates Stadium.

He was eventually told the news at London Colney on Friday morning, less than 12 hours after Arsenal had been beaten 2-1 by the Bundesliga side, extending their winless run to seven games in all competitions.

Emery arrived at the club’s training centre as normal to take training ahead of Sunday’s Premier League game at Norwich City, but he was met by Sanllehi and told the news during a meeting which included Venkatesham and technical director Edu.





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