Arsenal boss under huge pressure to get a result against Frankfurt

Unai Emery is under huge pressure to end Arsenal’s poor run of form when the Gunners welcome Eintracht Frankfurt to the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night.

Arsenal are facing a tough task to finish in the top four this season after being held to a 2-2 draw at home to Southampton with Alexandre Lacazette scoring a stoppage time equaliser to salvage a point at the weekend.

It makes it six games without a win for Arsenal and they’re eight points adrift of fourth place in the Premier League table so large sections of the fanbase are calling for Emery to be replaced as soon as possible.

The Spaniard will remain in charge on Thursday when Frankfurt arrive in north London for their Europa League group stage clash but Smith says replacements are already being lined-up by the Arsenal board.

Despite the pressure on his shoulders, Emery is expected to rotate his squad once again in Europe with a number of key players being rested ahead of Sunday’s league trip to Norwich City.

Bernd Leno, Sokratis, David Luiz and Kieran Tierney should all be rested at the back while Hector Bellerin won’t be risked after picking up a minor hamstring injury during the draw with Southampton.

Matteo Guendouzi, Mesut Ozil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette are also expected to get the night off with the likes of Gabriel Martinelli, Nicolas Pepe, Bukayo Saka and Joe Willock being recalled.

Rob Holding is back in contention after recovering from a knock and he should start in defence along with Shkodran Mustafi, Sead Kolasinac and Calum Chambers while Emi Martinez will start in goal for the Gunners.

However, Arsenal will have to make do without the services of Dani Ceballos as the Spanish international isn’t expected to return to full training until mid-December due to a hamstring injury.

Ceballos is Arsenal’s only major injury concern so Emery doesn’t have any excuses for the north Londoners poor form and the board will be demanding a win over Frankfurt on Thursday or he could see him tenure at the Emirates brought to an end.

While their form in the league has been woeful, Arsenal have actually performed well in the Europa League as they sit top of Group F on 10 points after winning three and drawing the other of their four games so far.

A win over Frankfurt tomorrow night would guarantee safe progression to the knockout stages of the competition as group winners so Emery will be desperate to ease the pressure with a vital win on home soil.