Who Took Over Arsenal After Wenger? The Full Story

The departure of Arsène Wenger from Arsenal marked the end of an era. After 22 remarkable years, the question on everyone's lips was: who would succeed the legendary manager? The answer wasn't immediately clear, and the decision was one of the most important in Arsenal's history. Let's dive deep into the details of Wenger's successor and the impact it had on the club.

Unveiling the Successor: The Choice of Unai Emery

When Arsène Wenger announced his departure from Arsenal in April 2018, the football world buzzed with speculation. Names like Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry, and even Max Allegri were thrown into the mix. However, the Arsenal board, led by then-CEO Ivan Gazidis, had their sights set on a different candidate: Unai Emery. Unai Emery, a Spanish coach known for his tactical flexibility and Europa League success with Sevilla, emerged as the chosen one. On May 23, 2018, Arsenal officially announced Emery as their new head coach, ushering in a new chapter for the club.

Emery's appointment signaled a departure from Wenger's long-standing philosophy. While Wenger was known for his emphasis on attacking football and nurturing young talent, Emery was renowned for his meticulous approach to tactics and his ability to adapt to different opponents. His arrival brought a sense of renewed energy and a promise of change at the Emirates Stadium. The Arsenal faithful were cautiously optimistic, eager to see how Emery would build upon Wenger's legacy and lead the club back to its former glory. Arsenal needed a manager who could bring both tactical innovation and a winning mentality to the team.

Gazidis and the Arsenal board were particularly impressed with Emery's track record in European competitions. His three consecutive Europa League titles with Sevilla demonstrated his ability to navigate complex tournaments and secure silverware. This was a major draw for Arsenal, who had struggled to compete at the highest level in recent years. The hope was that Emery could replicate his European success with the Gunners and bring a trophy back to North London. Emery's experience and tactical acumen were seen as crucial assets in Arsenal's quest to regain a place among Europe's elite. The decision to appoint Emery was a strategic one, aimed at revitalizing the team and injecting a new sense of purpose into the club. While other candidates had strong connections to Arsenal's history, Emery's proven track record and tactical expertise ultimately made him the preferred choice.

Emery's Tenure: A Period of Transition

Unai Emery's tenure at Arsenal was marked by a period of transition and mixed results. He inherited a squad that was in need of significant changes, both in terms of personnel and playing style. Emery quickly set about implementing his tactical vision, introducing new training methods and attempting to instill a greater sense of discipline within the team. His first season in charge saw Arsenal finish fifth in the Premier League, just one point outside the Champions League places. While this represented an improvement on Wenger's final season, it wasn't enough to secure a return to Europe's top competition.

One of the highlights of Emery's first season was Arsenal's run to the Europa League final. The Gunners navigated a challenging knockout stage, defeating teams like Napoli and Valencia along the way. However, they ultimately fell short in the final, losing 4-1 to Chelsea in Baku. This defeat was a bitter disappointment for Arsenal fans, who had hoped to see the club lift a trophy and secure Champions League qualification. The Europa League campaign highlighted both the potential and the limitations of Emery's team. They showed glimpses of attacking flair and defensive resilience, but ultimately lacked the consistency and quality needed to compete with the very best.

Despite the setback in the Europa League final, Emery remained optimistic about the future. He spoke of the need for further investment in the squad and expressed his belief that Arsenal were on the right track. However, his second season in charge proved to be more challenging. Arsenal struggled for consistency in the Premier League, and performances were often lackluster. Emery's tactical changes and team selections were frequently questioned by fans and pundits alike. The atmosphere around the club became increasingly tense, and pressure mounted on the manager to turn things around.

The Inevitable Departure: Why Emery's Time at Arsenal Ended

After a string of poor results and growing discontent among the fanbase, Arsenal's board decided to part ways with Unai Emery in November 2019. The decision came after a 2-1 home defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League, a result that left Arsenal's chances of qualifying for the knockout stages hanging in the balance. The atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium had become toxic, and it was clear that a change was needed to revitalize the team.

Several factors contributed to Emery's downfall at Arsenal. His tactical approach, while initially promising, failed to deliver consistent results. He struggled to find a settled formation and often tinkered with his team selections, leading to a lack of cohesion and understanding among the players. His communication skills were also a challenge, as his English was not fluent, and this sometimes created misunderstandings with the squad and the media. Moreover, Emery failed to win over the Arsenal fans, who never fully embraced his appointment. He was seen as a pragmatic and cautious manager, in contrast to Wenger's more expansive and attacking style.

Another factor that contributed to Emery's departure was the club's struggles in the transfer market. While he did bring in some talented players, such as Nicolas Pépé and Kieran Tierney, he also missed out on several key targets. This left the squad lacking in certain areas and hampered his ability to implement his tactical vision. The combination of poor results, tactical inconsistencies, and a disconnect with the fans ultimately led to Emery's dismissal. Arsenal needed a manager who could not only deliver results but also connect with the club's history and traditions. While Emery had the tactical expertise, he lacked the charisma and personality to win over the Arsenal faithful.

The Interim Solution: Freddie Ljungberg's Brief Stint

Following Emery's departure, Arsenal appointed Freddie Ljungberg as interim head coach. Ljungberg, a former Arsenal player and a member of the