Arsenal legend Martin Keown has identified the moment he believes was the beginning of the end for Unai Emery at Arsenal.
The Gunners suffered a 2-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League on Thursday, their first defeat at the Emirates Stadium this season, but it extended a winless streak to seven matches in all competitions.
That is Arsenal's worst run of form this side of the millennium and left Emery in an untenable position, having already come under scrutiny following last weekend's drab performance against Southampton.
While the downturn in form has been significant, Keown believes it all started to go wrong near the beginning of the captain when he selected Granit Xhaka as his captain.
“I think if the manager doesn’t survive, he will look back and think it was the beginning of the end by handing Xhaka the captaincy. It looked like the players were making the decisions tonight as well and on the sideline, you have to see the game, understand the game and know your personnel," he told BT Sport.
“Confidence has ebbed away completely. No snap in their play, no real direction, you’re looking around for leads and who really wants it. Who looks really bothered out there? We’ve all been in that situation where it all just collapses around you and it’s very tough, I agree, but I’m looking around the pitch for leaders and I don’t see any, then I look to the sidelines and I don’t see the leadership that is required either.
“So I think there is some big questions to be asked tonight by the powers that be.”
