Arsenal Supporters Trust issue statement after Unai Emery sacking labelling the decision as the ‘easy part’

The Spaniard leaves after a 2-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League

Arsenal Supporters Trust have labelled Unai Emery’s sacking as “inevitable” but insist it is only the “easy part”.

Emery’s Arsenal lost at home to Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday night in the Europa League, with Freddie Ljungberg appointed interim manager.

And the AST have welcomed the decision but also pointed the finger at the boardroom and the need for “better governance”.

“The dismissal of Unai Emery was unfortunate but inevitable. Performances and results have been far below what is expected at Arsenal,” read the statement.

“But Emery’s departure is the easy part. The more difficult challenge is to recruit a suitable successor. We are far from certain that Arsenal has the right personnel to lead this process.

“The AST has long been advocating that the most important changes needed at Arsenal are in the Boardroom where Arsenal need better governance.

“It is a sad fact that the club is now wholly owned by an overseas investment vehicle, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, who are largely absent from London.

“This means that the club needs to be governed by a strong Board in London, one that is truly independent and has the expertise and dynamism to drive a football club forward.

“Arsenal’s Board currently has no one with football expertise. Its three ‘independent’ members are 85, 79 and 77 years old. None of them have football experience nor reflect the diversity of Arsenal’s playing squads nor supporter base.

Freddie Ljungberg has taken interim charge after Unai Emery’s sacking (Getty)

“A strong Board would be able to hold the club’s executive to account and to provide them with counsel.

“Arsenal also need to build better relationships with their supporters especially at the ownership/boardroom level. New appointments to the Board should include looking for people with the skillset to ensure better dialogue with supporters and provide a sense of purpose and direction.

“So if Arsenal are to genuinely move forward from today it requires not only a new head coach appointment but also a rejuvenation of the boardroom.”