da supremo： This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
da dobrowin： Alan Smith has told Unai Emery that he has to finish in the top four this season or risk the sack at Arsenal, per Sky Sports.
What’s he said?
The former Gunners striker believes that there is a gap to be exploited in the top four, with only Manchester City and Liverpool perhaps in a position to definitely finish in the top two positions.
But he has warned that if the former PSG boss fails to take advantage of that chance, he could again be looking for a new job.
He said: “I think it’s difficult for Arsenal fans watching on to see where things are heading. The optimism from when he took over has vanished really, which is disappointing.
“He’s got some new players in, he’s got some of the younger lads through, so it’s a bit of a different side to the one Wenger had. And of course, it is difficult changing things after 22 years but you’d have hoped to have seen some signs by now.
“You look at the table and Arsenal are still in a good position, and with the way Spurs and Manchester United are, it’s a great chance to finish in the top four.
“If they don’t this season, then there are a lot of questions to answer and you’d imagine he wouldn’t be around next season.”
Their best chance
At this point, this is surely Arsenal’s best hope of qualifying for the Champions League.
They finished fifth last season, one point behind Spurs, two behind Chelsea but 27 and 28 behind Liverpool and City respectively.
Chelsea, of course, have appointed Frank Lampard and are under a transfer ban while Spurs have struggled at the start of the season, losing as many games as they have won in the Premier League.
Manchester United are in the bottom half of the table, and one has to believe that the Gunners have a golden opportunity.
They have perhaps the most settled squad of the teams mentioned, they boast the joint-top goalscorer from last season in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and spent over £70m on Nicolas Pepe in the summer.
They have a blistering attack when everyone is fit and, while the defence remains as shaky as ever, their first XI may well be the rival of any other team in the league outside of the top two.
If Emery cannot take this team into the top four then his sacking would be just and deserved; on Monday’s evidence, when the Gunners lost to Sheffield United, time may well be running out.