1. Sort out the manager situation
Unai Emery was selected to replace Arsene Wenger, in large part, due to his impeccable Europa League record. Before Wednesday’s debacle in Baku, Emery was undefeated in three EL final appearances, having lifted the trophy in 2014, 2015, and 2016 as the manager at La Liga side Sevilla.
After not automatically qualifying for the Champions League via the Premier League, all of Emery’s chips were pushed-in for the Europa with great confidence, which was quickly squashed by former Gunner Olivier Giroud and ‘Mr. Everything’ Eden Hazard.
Now, rumblings from supporters and pundits are that perhaps Emery isn’t the right man for the job.
This situation must be dealt with swiftly and with finality.
If Emery is viewed as the manager going forward and the executives do not see the need for a change, they must make that clear immediately. It is difficult to do summer business with the rumor of a coaching change in the air. It also sends a bad vibe through the changing room at a club that is at its lowest point in recent memory.
A strong argument could be made for both sacking him or keeping him, but Arsenal seem to be a club that doesn’t wish to become a carousel of managers. The men in charge must release a statement in the coming days that put these thoughts to rest. If the rumor is allowed to permeate, it could scare off potential signees, submarining any chance at a successful window.
Once that bit of news is taken care of, it’s time to turn attention to the largest elephant in the Arsenal room.