Arsenal vs Eintracht: Unai Emery calls on fans to get behind team for Europa League fixture

Unai Emery wants Arsenal’s supporters to get behind the team in Thursday’s Europa League match against Eintracht Frankfurt after a string of poor results increased pressure on the Spanish manager to deliver.

Arsenal are without a win in six games in all competitions and have dropped to eighth in the Premier League, with disillusioned fans constantly voicing their displeasure over the failure to win.

Group leaders Arsenal can seal progress to the knockout stages of the Europa League by beating Frankfurt, and Emery has said he hopes to “connect” with the disappointed fanbase.

“We are doing a very good job in this competition but we need to make sure of our first position in the table. Our second objective is to win and take confidence as well as connect with our supporters,” Emery said.

“My only focus is to show tomorrow our performance and connect with our supporters. We know our supporters are disappointed... My wish is, tomorrow, every supporter helps the team and helps the players.

“Our confidence depends a lot on how we can feel in our stadium with our supporters. Teams are coming here playing fearlessly, we need to be strong and together.”

Emery said midfielder Granit Xhaka could return to the squad for the first time since his vocal outburst in October during a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace when he swore at home fans after being substituted and was later stripped of the captain’s armband.

Emery said earlier this month that he was unsure whether the Swiss international would play for the club again.

“He’s in the group and he has the possibility to play. I hope every supporter supports him,” Emery said. “Xhaka’s comeback is going to be important for us.”

When questioned about his own future at the club, with Nuno Espírito Santo linked to the Arsenal job, Emery said: “My future is today and tomorrow. My job is to prepare (for) the match tomorrow, to look only at the match tomorrow.”

Reuters