LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 28: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Europa League group F match between Arsenal FC and Eintracht Frankfurt at Emirates Stadium on November 28, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Arsenal hosted Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday night with Unai Emery desperately needing a victory. Here are five things we learned from the 2-1 loss.
I have opened a ‘5 things we learned’ piece with this sentence before, but that tells you the enite story of the present troubles at Arsenal: Well, if you thought things couldn’t get any worse, you were wrong. In a pathetic effort, in front an empty stadium, on one of the worst nights in the recent history of the club, the Gunners fell to Eintracht Frankfurt in a 2-1 defeat, despite having a one-goal lead at half-time.
Here are five things we learned.
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 28: David Luiz of Arsenal receives medical treatment during the UEFA Europa League group F match between Arsenal FC and Eintracht Frankfurt at Emirates Stadium on November 28, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
5. Repeat the David Luiz experiment
Unai Emery sprung a surprise on everyone with his team selection, shifting David Luiz into defensive midfield rather than using the back three that many anticipated when the line-up was announced. This decision may have been with Norwich City — and beyond — in mind, but sadly, we did not get to see it truly play out.
After ten minutes, Luiz took a hit to the rib/chest area, after which he was never comfortable. The first few moments were positive, with his added physicality and defensive nous providing structure to the Arsenal team. It was noticeable that the Gunners ceded control in the periods following Luiz’s substitution after the half-hour mark.
It is obviously not possible to draw meaningful conclusions from this set-up after this match. The sample size is simply too small to do so — that would be true even if Luiz had played the whole game. Nevertheless, it is something that I would like to see Emery repeat. There is enough evidence to suggest it could work, and, at this rate, anything that might work should be implemented.
Arsenal: Well, if you thought things couldn’t get any worse, you were wrong. In a pathetic effort, in front an empty stadium, on one of the worst nights in the recent history of the club, t<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/11/28/arsenal-vs-eintracht-frankfurt-5-things-learned-unai-emery-said/"https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50578269">he Gunners fell to Eintracht Frankfurt in a 2-1 defeat</a>, despite having a one-goal lead at half-time.</p>
<h2><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/11/28/arsenal-vs-eintracht-frankfurt-5-things-learned-unai-emery-said/"https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/pain-in-the-arsenal-podcast-on-arsenal-fc/id1314514440?ign-mpt=uo%3D4%26amp%3Buo%3D4&mt=2%22>Find the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal Podcast here — Can we talk about something else?</a></h2>
<p>Here are five things we learned.</p>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-95842" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/11/28/arsenal-vs-eintracht-frankfurt-5-things-learned-unai-emery-said/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1190688581-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 28: David Luiz of Arsenal receives medical treatment during the UEFA Europa League group F match between Arsenal FC and Eintracht Frankfurt at Emirates Stadium on November 28, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>5. Repeat the David Luiz experiment</h4>
<p>Unai Emery sprung a surprise on everyone with his team selection, shifting<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/11/28/arsenal-vs-eintracht-frankfurt-5-things-learned-unai-emery-said/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=david+luiz%22> David Luiz</a> into defensive midfield rather than using the back three that many anticipated when the line-up was announced. This decision may have been with Norwich City — and beyond — in mind, but sadly, we did not get to see it truly play out.</p>
<p>After ten minutes, Luiz took a hit to the rib/chest area, after which he was never comfortable. The first few moments were positive, with his added physicality and defensive nous providing structure to the Arsenal team. It was noticeable that the Gunners ceded control in the periods following Luiz’s substitution after the half-hour mark.</p>
<p>It is obviously not possible to draw meaningful conclusions from this set-up after this match. The sample size is simply too small to do so — that would be true even if Luiz had played the whole game. Nevertheless, it is something that I would like to see Emery repeat. There is enough evidence to suggest it could work, and, at this rate, anything that might work should be implemented.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/11/28/arsenal-vs-eintracht-frankfurt-5-things-learned-unai-emery-said/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 4. The players quit </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-95864" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/11/28/arsenal-vs-eintracht-frankfurt-5-things-learned-unai-emery-said/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1190697678-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 28: Daichi Kamada of Eintracht Frankfurt scores his team’s second goal during the UEFA Europa League group F match between Arsenal FC and Eintracht Frankfurt at Emirates Stadium on November 28, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>4. The players quit</h4>
<p>Arsenal actually played ‘okay’ in the first half. They were nothing special, and Frankfurt were woeful, but they controlled the game, dominated possession and scored the opener to seize a well-deserved lead. Then came half-time and an utterly listless second-half showing that illustrates one clear fact: the players have quit on Unai Emery.</p>
<p>From Shkodran Mustafi to saying the players will support the club and by extension the manager to Alexandre Lacazette not celebrating a last-minute equaliser, there were hints that Emery had lost the dressing room prior to Thursday night. The second half proved those hints true.</p>
<p>It is one thing for the board to ignore that Emery has lost the support of the fans, but it is a totally different kind of stubborn and blind ignorance to deny that he has lost the players. After all, he is a manager. He is meant to manage players. If he cannot do that, as the evidence proves, it’s time to find someone who can.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/11/28/arsenal-vs-eintracht-frankfurt-5-things-learned-unai-emery-said/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 3. The Granit Xhaka return </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-95863" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/11/28/arsenal-vs-eintracht-frankfurt-5-things-learned-unai-emery-said/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1190695993-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 28: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal reacts during the UEFA Europa League group F match between Arsenal FC and Eintracht Frankfurt at Emirates Stadium on November 28, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>3. The Granit Xhaka return</h4>
<p>One of the major storylines prior to kick-off was the return of <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/11/28/arsenal-vs-eintracht-frankfurt-5-things-learned-unai-emery-said/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=granit+xhaka%22>Granit Xhaka</a>. After more than a month on the sidelines, during which he was stripped of the captaincy following his contentious substitution against Crystal Palace, Xhaka made his first appearance in an Arsenal shirt.</p>
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<p>From a footballing standpoint, Xhaka was who he has always been. Slow, a good passer, got booked, aggressive, physical, sometimes controlling, other times too ponderous and cautious. There was the good and the bad of Xhaka on display. He even filled in at centre-half after Shkodran Mustafi was withdrawn in the second half due to injury.</p>
<p>But from a personal perspective, it was nice to see him back on the pitch. While the relationship between the Swiss international and the supporters is still fragile and he will only repair it through industrious, high-quality performances on the pitch, he is a footballer and he should be playing football.</p>
<p>What the future holds for Xhaka remains to be seen. It likely depends on the future of Emery, who has been one of the biggest supporters of the largely shoddy midfielder. But it was encouraging to see him back on a football pitch, whatever you may think about his personality and performance.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/11/28/arsenal-vs-eintracht-frankfurt-5-things-learned-unai-emery-said/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 2. Fans vote with their feet </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-95853" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/11/28/arsenal-vs-eintracht-frankfurt-5-things-learned-unai-emery-said/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1190688442-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 28: Empty seats are seen inside the stadium during the UEFA Europa League group F match between Arsenal FC and Eintracht Frankfurt at Emirates Stadium on November 28, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>2. Fans vote with their feet</h4>
<p>There may as well have been no one in the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night. The Eintracht Frankfurt fans were not allowed to turn up, while the Arsenal fans simply did not want to. And, to be honest, who could blame them? A cold, late-night match, in a competition that no one cares about, in a game that is semi-meaningless. It is hardly the most appetising entertainment.</p>
<p>The absence of supporters was telling. It shows the growing disconnect between the fanbase and the club, something that Unai Emery spoke at length on in his pre-match press conference, and also sends a message to Stan Kroenke and the board that their settling for mediocrity will not be tolerated.</p>
<p>Kroenke et al. care about lining their pockets, and an empty stadium does not help in that regard. In the end, this is what moved them to implement change in the latter Arsene Wenger years. Could the same occur with Emery now?</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/11/28/arsenal-vs-eintracht-frankfurt-5-things-learned-unai-emery-said/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 1. There is nothing left to say </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-95855" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/11/28/arsenal-vs-eintracht-frankfurt-5-things-learned-unai-emery-said/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1190687468-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 28: Unai Emery, Manager of Arsenal looks on ahead of the UEFA Europa League group F match between Arsenal FC and Eintracht Frankfurt at Emirates Stadium on November 28, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>1. There is nothing left to say</h4>
<p>It has all been said before. If <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/11/28/arsenal-vs-eintracht-frankfurt-5-things-learned-unai-emery-said/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=unai+emery%22>Unai Emery</a> is not sacked, it will all be said again. There is nothing left to say. The results, the performances, the mood, the gates. Everything is down, and there is only thing left to do.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
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<p>Quite why it took Arsenal this long to reach rock bottom when that was where they have been heading for some time under the clueless, helpless, hopeless Emery, I am not so sure. But here we are.</p>
<p>Emery is not the only problem at Arsenal. Do the board care? Is Raul Sanllehi just protecting his man? How much does the club want to win or are they simply happy with lining their pockets? Where are Stan and Josh Kroenke in all this?</p>
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<p>These are just some of the problems that face Arsenal at present. But will all of these will not be solved now, there is one that can. Until Emery is replaced, there really is nothing else left to say.</p><!—pageview_candidate—></p>">
