Arsenal players 'openly mocked Unai Emery before sacking'

Arsenal players reportedly mocked Unai Emery on a relentless basis during his final few weeks as manager of the club.

The Spaniard was removed from his post on Friday morning following a run of seven games without a victory.

Emery's broken English, specifically the way he said "good evening", is said to have been roundly mocked at Arsenal's training base.

Moreover, the Evening Standard claims that one player mockingly asked "how many captains we have?" within earshot of the manager following his decision to name a captaincy group, headed by striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The former Gunners boss was heavily criticised for his handling of Granit Xhaka, who was stripped of the captaincy earlier this month.

Reports suggest that a decision to dispense with Emery was made during a meeting of Arsenal directors in the United States soon after the club's 2-2 draw with Southampton last weekend.