Arsenal head to Leicester City with pressure mounting for Unai Emery

Unai Emery faces the real threat of losing his job if his Arsenal side fail to win at Leicester City on Saturday evening.

The Spaniard has fallen victim to criticism in recent weeks following the off-the-pitch turmoil surrounding Mesut Özil, as well as being winless in the Premier League since October 6th.

Arsenal have suffered tremendously on the road this season – winning only once in the league away from the Emirates.

Leicester City, meanwhile, lead the race for third in the top-flight.

The Foxes have been victorious from five of their previous six outings in the league – losing only to table-toppers Liverpool.

Team news

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka is a doubt for the trip to the Midlands with his confrontation with the Gunners’ support still proving fresh.

Dani Ceballos (thigh) makes him unlikely to feature.

Matthew James (calf) remains the only long-term injury concern for Brendan Rodgers.

From the bosses

Ahead of Leicester City hosting Arsenal, Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers commented on Jamie Vardy’s decision to stay at the King Power Stadium despite interest from the London side in 2016:

“He had come off the back of just being champion here, with the worldwide status of that season and the story.

“The one thing I know about Jamie Vardy is he’s a team player. It wouldn’t have been because of that [wanting to be the main man], that he didn’t go to Arsenal.

“There were a number of things: he was probably offered a good deal here, felt comfortable here, stable here with his family.”

Arsenal head coach Unai Emery, however, labelled Saturday’s trip to the Midlands as a must-win victory for the Gunners.

“Must-win? Yes. We need to win and it’s very important for us tomorrow.

“But our mentality is every time to play first, using our best structure and organisation to be strong and also our individual players to use their quality to win.”

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