Arsenal’s supporters have flooded to social media on Thursday evening, to take aim at manager Mikel Arteta.
Emery has the last laugh
Arteta and co. were of course back in action a short time ago.
In what was widely viewed ahead of kick-off as the most important outing of the club’s campaign to date, Arsenal welcomed Villarreal to the Emirates, for a Europa League semi-final 2nd-leg showdown.
The visitors headed into proceedings boasting the advantage, on the back of a deserved 2-1 victory in Spain last week.
Nicolas Pepe’s late away goal, though, gave a disappointing Gunners outfit hope ahead of tonight’s action at the Emirates.
🚨 There’s been a late change to our team…
🏴 @KieranTierney1 is now starting, after Granit Xhaka pulled up with an injury during the warm-up
🔜 #UEL pic.twitter.com/w5x0zJruOS
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 6, 2021
When all was said and done in north London, though, the Premier League giants, on the back of another concerningly sub-par showing, came up short.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang twice came within inches of netting the all-important solitary goal required to guide Arsenal into the Europa League final, first directing a fine volley onto the post:
So close from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang! 💥
An instinctive volley that hits the post ❌
Arsenal’s best chance from the first half… pic.twitter.com/S0P5N2n0tW
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 6, 2021
And then striking the woodwork again with a header from close range:
AUBAMEYANG HITS THE POST AGAIN!
The Arsenal captain was taken off just after this.#ARSVIL | #UEL pic.twitter.com/jhxzgnb98t
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) May 6, 2021
In the end, though, the one telling moment of Gunners quality was simply not forthcoming, as Unai Emery’s Villarreal marched on to book a showpiece meeting with Manchester United.
Arteta targeted
For Arsenal, though, the club’s 2020/21 campaign can now be considered as good as over.
The club’s hopes of securing a European berth via league finish have long gone up in smoke, with Arteta and co., as things stand, sitting in 9th.
In turn, it has since come as little surprise to see the Gunners faithful flood to social media, to make their frustrations clear.
The main target? Mikel Arteta.
The Spaniard endured another difficult evening on Thursday, with his team selection, tactics, and substitutions having all come under heavy scrutiny.
In fact, so poor did their side look versus Villarreal, that many of an Arsenal persuasion have now called for Arteta to be immediately dismissed, with the best of the Twitter highlights showcased below:
Congrats to Villarreal and Emery. It’s time for Arsenal to let Arteta go
— James B (@JamesAFTV) May 6, 2021
Yeah I’d sack Arteta.
— James Dall (@JamesDall_) May 6, 2021
Absolutely disgraceful performance from Arteta.
Couldn’t get his best team motivated for a Euro semi-final. Tells you how bad it must be behind the scenes.
Insipid. Pathetic. Embarrassing.
Cannot believe how bad that was.
— Le Grove (@LeGrove) May 6, 2021
One of the worst performances I’ve seen in one of our worst seasons ever. That’s it for me, taxi for Arteta please.
— SamW (@SamW_AFC) May 6, 2021
1 attempt on goal tonight. Arteta has to go tonight. Tonight
— Osman 🎗 (@OsmanZtheGooner) May 6, 2021
Entirely understand why Arsenal went for Arteta- I was behind it cos they have to bet on the next big thing to an extent. But it hasn’t worked and I just can’t see any evidence that it’s going to, fail fast and learn quickly.
— Tim Stillman (@Stillberto) May 6, 2021
Bye Arteta. The internship is over. Take the Kroenkes & the PR process with you #artetaout #KroenkeOut
— Don Draper (@arsenalbarclays) May 6, 2021
Why does Mikel Arteta deserve to continue as manager?
This season has been a total disaster, we’re playing dreadful football, and we just got kicked out of Europe by the guy he replaced. Humiliating. #afc— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) May 6, 2021
My heart’s racing. My forehead is perspiring and my whole body is shaking. If the Kroenke’s have to go then they must take Mikel Arteta with them. End of.
— WelBeast (@WelBeast) May 6, 2021
There is absolutely no reason to keep Arteta. Get a new manager in now so he can get his own players in and have a full preseason. Don’t repeat the same mistake we made when we kept Emery after 18/19.
— Paddy (@PaddyArsenal) May 6, 2021
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