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Football

13th Dec 2020

Arsenal fans call for Mauricio Pochettino to replace Mikel Arteta at the Emirates

Arsenal fans are calling for Mauricio Pochettino to take over from Mikel Arteta at the Emirates, after the Gunners suffered another embarrassing defeat

Alex Roberts

The Gunners have lost their last four home games

Arsenal fans are calling for ex-Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino to take over from Mikel Arteta at the Emirates, after the Gunners suffered another embarrassing defeat.

The Gunners lost 1-0 at home to Burnley.

Eager to hit back after last week’s defeat in the North London Derby, Gunners boss Arteta named a strong lineup. Well, at least on paper.

Arsenal couldn’t make their superior possession count, however. They squandered a number of chances to truly test Nick Pope in the Burnley goal.

Mikel Arteta’s side had 18 shots on goal, but only six hit the target. Burnley had just 35 percent possession, but that mattered little with the home side so profligate in front of goal.

Arsenal’s cause was greatly hindered by the dismissal of Granit Xhaka just before the hour mark. The Swiss international was initially booked after a tussle with Burnley midfielder Ashley Westwood, but that yellow card was upgraded to red after a VAR review.

Xhaka could clearly be seen grabbing Westwood by the throat, and so was sent off for violent conduct.

Burnley left the Emirates Stadium with all three points when they got the game’s only goal in the 73rd minute. Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang headed a Burnley corner into his own goal.

Some of the Arsenal fans in attendance couldn’t watch – literally.

As the final whistle went, there were audible boos from the small number of spectators allowed into the stadium.

A large number of those watching at home directed their anger towards manager Mikel Arteta. Many earmarked former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino as the man to take over at the Emirates.

Not everyone laid the blame at Arteta’s door, though.

Speaking after the game on Sky Sports, ex-Man Utd defender Patrice Evra sided with the Arsenal manager. Evra said the players are the ones to blame.

“There is a lack of discipline about Arsenal, and Arteta must be fuming right now,” said the Frenchman.