Arsenal players 'hold crisis meeting without Arsene Wenger'

Club captain Per Mertesacker reportedly called a stormy crisis meeting without manager Arsene Wenger following Arsenal's defeat to Manchester City.

The Gunners suffered a 3-0 loss in last weekend's EFL Cup final, leaving them effectively just fighting for Europa League success this season.

Wenger's future has been called into question following another campaign of mediocrity and, according to The Sun, Mertesacker attempted to take matters into his own hands by bringing the squad together at the club's London Colney HQ.

Mertesacker, an unused sub at Wembley Stadium, is said to have warned his teammates that they are now playing to save Wenger's job, and wanted any differences thrashed out during the meeting.

Arsenal have a chance to exact revenge of sorts when hosting Man City in a rearranged Premier League fixture on Thursday evening, aiming to reduce the gap on the top four to seven points.