ARSENAL’S biggest stars could quit the the club if Unai Emery remains in charge, according to reports.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and strike partner Alexandre Lacazette are just two of the names reluctant to extend their contracts whilst the club hierarchy mull over the future of the Spaniard.
Lacazette and Aubameyang are reluctant to the extend their contracts at ArsenalCredit: Rex Features
Arsenal are now without a win in six games – and 50 days – in all competitions following their drab performance in the 2-2 draw with Southampton.
It leaves them eighth, six points off fourth-placed Chelsea, and has sparked crisis talks among the Arsenal board with Emery over his future.
Arsenal’s bigwigs are currently split over whether to axe the manager now or give him more time to turn around their fortunes.
But their decision to dally is proving unpopular in the dressing room with a host of stars not willing to extend their stays at Arsenal.
Aubameyang’s deal expires in the summer of 2021 while Lacazette has two and a half years left on his contract.
Both players were deep in discussions over new contracts but are holding off talks while the manager stays at the helm, writes the Daily Mail.
They also want to play Champions League football and know that is becoming highly unlikely given Arsenal’s run of form.
Mesut Ozil, Sokratis, David Luiz and Shkodran Mustafi are other names whose deals run out in 2021 but the quartet are unlikely to stay at the Emirates.
The bigger concern will be over the future of Matteo Guendouzi while Calum Chambers and Sead Kolasinac are expected to sign new contracts, with their deals expiring in 2022.
Arsenal have a history of letting the contracts of their top players run down with Aaron Ramsey leaving on a free for Juventus at the end of last season, while Alexis Sanchez left in January of 2018 for Manchester United.
If Emery is shown the exit door, former Juventus boss Max Allegri, ex-Gunner Mikel Arteta and sacked former Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino are on a five-man shortlist to replace him.
Unai Emery is fighting to save his job at ArsenalCredit: Rex Features
Man City boss Pep Guardiola hints that Mikel Arteta could replace Unai Emery at Arsenal
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
