UNAI EMERY’S Arsenal reign has been thrown into further chaos following reports that James Rodriguez has snubbed an Emirates move this January.
Marca claims the Colombia international was offered the chance to move to North London after falling out of favour under Zinedine Zidane.
James Rodriguez has snubbed a move to ArsenalCredit: Getty Images
Rodriguez, 28, has featured just nine times this season after returning from a two-year loan spell at Bayern Munich.
He has already been tipped for a move to Utd in a swap deal for Paul Pogba.
And it’s reckoned Chelsea are also monitoring Rodriguez’s situation.
Wolves have even been linked with an ambitious swoop for the playmaker.
But it’s now believed that Arsenal made the first move for Rodriguez.
And he quickly turned down the opportunity to link up with Emery, who is under immense pressure after last night’s 2-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League.
Arsenal are now without a win in seven games, their worst run since 1992.
They lie 19 points behind leaders Liverpool in the Premier League table.
And even a top four finish seems unlikely, with eight points already separating the Gunners from Chelsea.
Arsenal now face a trip to Norwich on Sunday after dropping points against the likes of Crystal Palace, Leicester and Southampton in recent weeks.
And Emery looks to be on the brink after enraging fans by claiming his side are IMPROVING.
Rodriguez may have been put off an Arsenal move by the uncertainty regarding Emery’s future.
While the gaffer’s treatment of fellow playmaker Mesut Ozil could be enough to warn any creative midfielder off an Emirates switch.
Indeed, Arsenal’s inability to attract their top targets could send a warning message to the board.
And the bookies are already speculating about who could replace Emery, with ex-Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, PSG and AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti linked.
When asked about a return to England, the Napoli tactician said: “I stay here, of course.
“These are rumours! I have white hair and experience. In this moment they are all rumours.”
However, Wolves gaffer Nuno Espirito Santo is the favourite to take charge at Arsenal.
Yet he has refused to say if he is interested in the job, explaining: “I think you know me well enough and you know that I’m not going to answer about that.
“I will never mention an issue that’s not a reality. Mainly because the job has a manager in it. It would be disrespectful.
“I think we are doing OK. It requires a lot of work and every day is a chance to improve and this is what we want to do all together.
“The links are not a distraction. You know me. I don’t talk about ifs, I don’t talk about possibilities. I don’t talk about things that are not real.”
Arsenal boss Unai Emery shockingly claims ‘we have improved’ after dismal defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
