Jamie Carragher identifies SIX major issues making Unai Emery’s job at Arsenal a nightmare
The former centre-half defended the Gunners manager by claiming the side he has inherited came with a host of problems
LIVERPOOL legend Jamie Carragher has labelled Arsenal ‘a shambles’ as he defended Gunners boss Unai Emery.
The former centre-half defended the Arsenal manager by claiming the side he has inherited came with a host of problems.
Arsenal sit fifth in the league, six points behind Chelsea in fourth, who they host this Saturday.
Speaking in to, Carragher claimed a lack of funds, an imbalanced squad, inconsistent players, contract issues and departures from within the club is why Emery is struggling.
Carragher said: “When Unai Emery took over at Arsenal, we wondered what legacy he had been left. Now it is clear. He inherited a shambles.
“An imbalanced squad, inconsistent star player, extravagant contracts way above market value, a highly-rated international running down his deal, a chief executive on his way out and a head of recruitment who, having made errors in a short period, is on the verge of leaving.
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“Emery has a mess to clean up. Worse still, there is no money available to start that lengthy process.
“This was not the job advertisement he responded to when Arsene Wenger’s exit was announced.
'The muddled thinking at boardroom level at The Emirates has been exposed.
“Throughout my career Arsenal were admired as low key but smart operators. They were a club that seemed to do things in the right way, the blueprint for others to copy.”
Here SunSport analyse the key errors Carragher believes has affected Arsenal so much this season.
Imbalanced squad
This season Emery has not yet found his strongest 11, often switching out central midfielders, and forwards. The manager has also switched formations, from 3-5-2, 4-3-3 and 4-1-2-1-2 as his side struggle for any consistency in the set up.
Inconsistent players
Emery has seen the likes of Mesut Ozil, Alex Iwobi, and even top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang go off the boil at times. Clubs ahead of the Gunners all have identified key players who rarely put in a below average game - whereas Arsenal haven’t.
Contract issues
Gunners chiefs are paying majorly high wages for players that aren’t putting in performances to warrant this. Arsenal see Ozil take £300,000, Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s £120,000 and even Carl Jenkinson, who has played five times makes £45,00 a week.
Aaron Ramsey
Ramsey’s deal is set to expire at the end of this season, with the Gunners initially offering the midfielder a new deal and then hastily retracting this. The Welshman is set to join Juventus but the situation has brought nothing but unwanted press.
Chief executive departure
Ivan Gazidis left Arsenal to become AC Milan’s chief executive this season, and head of recruitment Sven Mislintat could also be on the exit having made some questionable decisions.
No money
It’s no secret Arsenal have no funds to work with, and with a side plagued with defensive injuries and a lack of creation, Emery is crying out for some fresh recruits. However, unless a player is sold, or a new man loaned in - the Gunners will be left with the same problem.