ARSENAL players held a stormy crisis meeting without boss Arsene Wenger after their Carabao Cup final flop against Manchester City.
SunSport can reveal Gunners skipper Per Mertesacker, on the bench for the 3-0 loss at Wembley, called the inquest at their London Colney training centre.
Arsenal’s squad were critical of each other’s performances and attitude.
Mertesacker warned them all they could even be playing to save Wenger. Other stars demanded more commitment as they prepare for the most important three months of Wenger’s 21-year reign at the club.
Mertesacker, who will become Arsenal Academy manager at the end of the season, told the squad they must now thrash out their differences.
Wenger, 68, is again under huge scrutiny ahead of tonight’s rearranged Premier League fixture against leaders City at the Emirates.
Mertesacker now fears morale is at breaking point after a damaging North London derby defeat, followed by losses against Swedish minnows Ostersunds and then City.
Frenchman Wenger — who has a contract until the end of next season — was still bullish about his future yesterday.
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He said: “We were not in the final by invitation, winning is not guaranteed.
“I am quite amazed it’s such an earthquake we lost a final — it means that we have got our fans used to going to Wembley and winning.
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“I have been here for 21 years and I always respected my contracts, so I am quite amazed that you ask me about it.
“My position is the least of my worries.
“I am just amazed because I have been here for 21 years and I turned the whole world down to respect my contracts.
“I am an employee and I give my best for the club that I love.
“The decision on when to leave has technically always been mine — and that will remain. It’s part of my job.”
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