JOSH KROENKE turned up at Arsenal training today to make a personal address to the players after the sacking of Unai Emery.
Kroenke swung the axe on the Spanish manager on Friday after a miserable run of form which has seen them go seven games without a win.
The 39-year-old, son of Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke, made the journey out to the club’s London Colney training centre as they prepared for Sunday’s trip to Norwich.
Kroenke is then understood to have made a point of explaining why the took the action to dismiss Emery after 18 months in charge.
The Gunners director, watched on by Per Mertesacker who the Gunners have also promoted to coach, then urged the players to stick together after what has been a difficult time for the club on and off the pitch.
Kroenke hopes his rallying call will go some way to reassuring the squad that the board are doing everything they can to bring in a top class replacement for Emery.
Ljungberg has been placed in temporary control of the first team, stepping up from his role with the development squad.
But the sight of such a senior member of the board at training on a weekend is a clear indication the club’s bosses realise how serious their plight is right now.
The Gunners are now considering who to turn to next, in the knowledge they may struggle to attract the very top level coaches to the Emirates with the club such a long way short of being able to contend in the Premier League.
They have been urged to go for former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, but the Argentine is thought to prefer holding out for a bigger role such as Manchester United or Real Madrid.
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers is another option, but he would be hard to prise away from the Foxes who would demand a huge compensation fee for their man.
Ex-Juventus manager Max Allegri is another contender although his problems with speaking English count against him.
Club legend Patrick Vieira has been touted by his former team-mates, while Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe, Sean Dyche of Burnley and Sheffield United’s Chris Wilder have also been mentioned.
