UNAI EMERY’S decision to scrap live scouting of opposition teams has backfired with the Arsenal boss hanging on to his job at the Emirates.
The Gunners sit in eighth spot in the Premier League table following the 2-2 draw against Southampton, with the club without a win in their last five top-flight matches.
Arsenal boss Unai Emery is on the brink of being axed with the club sitting eighth in the tableCredit: PA:Press Association
According to The Daily Mail, Emery made significant changes to how the North London side prepares for their upcoming games last summer.
They claim that Arsenal no longer send scouts out to watch teams in action to provide tactical analysis on their strengths and weaknesses.
It has been stated that the Spaniard instead prefers to watch games himself, while he also spends hours watching footage of the opposition on his laptop.
This approach is different to many of Arsenal’s rivals, with scouts being sent to monitor clubs two months in advance where they could watch a team up to four times.
The Mail also add that Emery’s method has left senior members at the club unconvinced, as they believe his time would be better suited to addressing the weaknesses in his own side.
And other figures have reportedly voiced concerns that elements of the oppositions’ strengths and weaknesses are being missed as a result of him failing to send scouts out.
But the report states that even though Emery has failed to prepare his squad for matches, club insiders do not believe the change in scouting is the main reason for Arsenal’s poor form.
It has been claimed that the Arsenal players have lost faith in their manager, with the squad said to be confused by how he constantly changes his tactics.
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo has emerged as the bookies’ favourite to replace the ex-Paris Saint-Germain gaffer should he be sacked.
Former skipper Mikel Arteta is also understood to be an option, along with Mauricio Pochettino.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk