Arsenal: Unai Emery has a target on his back

Arsenal have been vague regarding tangible targets for head coach Unai Emery. No more. Raul Sanllehi has thrust a target on the Spaniard’s back: top four or bust.

Usually, clubs, managers and directors avoid questions that focus on targets for a future period. They will provide vague answers that are not easily measurable or avoid the question by using buzzwords like ‘progress’ or ‘implementing our identity’. Essentially, they are all trying to do the same thing: not put a target on their back by which they can later be judged.

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When Unai Emery first arrived at Arsenal as Arsene Wenger’s successor, these same tactics were used. There was an admittance that he needed to bring the team back into the top four, yes, but no timeframe was put on such an achievement, while any tangible targets were vehemently avoided, Ivan Gazidis simply stating that Emery is to bring ‘progress’ to a talented group of players.

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This year, the same media handling was used. Despite it being plainly obvious that Arsenal expected to secure Champions League qualification, ideally via a top-four finish but also through winning the Europa League, no one would quite put their name on, stating that it was important but not necessary. They wanted to avoid the target, should the season begin to tail out of control and the pressure of the fans subsequently has an anchor to mount upon.

But this week, head of football Raul Sanllehi did the precise opposite. In a fans’ forum on Thursday night, Sanllehi was asked what is expected of Emery this season. His answer left nothing to interpretation:

"“We said to Unai that we just missed out on qualifying for the Champions League last year, but this year with a stronger squad, we expect you to do that.”"

Emery now has a target on his back. If at any point this season it does not look as though Arsenal are going to qualify for the Champions League, the pressure will undoubtedly mount. And if they continue to play as they done, despite the positive results and kind upcoming fixture schedule, that is not an unfathomable scenario whatsoever.

The jury is very much still out on Emery the coach. While most are supporters of Emery the personality, with his endearing ‘good ebening’ press conference introductions and enthusiastic, impassioned responses on the sideline immediately making a positive impression with fans, there are more doubts regarding Emery’s actual coaching capabilities.

He has struggled to implement an identity, the performances have repeatedly been bailed out by explosive periods and sensational strike-play, while the results seem to be borne out of luck more than judgement. Emery the coach needs to perform because the vulture are circling.

And now those vultures have a target to set their eyes on. Sanllehi handed them as much. It is up to Emery, then, to ensure that there is no opportunity to feast.