Arsenal manager Emery sacked

Arsenal manager Unai Emery has been sacked after 18 months in charge, the Premier League club announced here on Friday.

"We announce today that the decision has been taken to part company with our head coach Unai Emery and his coaching team," said the London club on its official website.

The club admitted that the decision has been taken due to results and performances not being at the level required.

The Gunners are ranked eighth in the Premier League, eight points behind the fourth-placed Chelsea and 19 points away from leaders Liverpool.

They lost 2-1 to Frankfurt at home in the Europa League last night.

Emery, 48, was appointed manager of Arsenal in May 2018, replacing the long-serving Arsene Wenger. The Spaniard took the team to fifth in the Premier League last season.

Arsenal said the club has asked Freddie Ljungberg to take responsibility for the first team as interim head coach and the search for a new head coach is underway.