By Henry Vinter | 20 November 2055
The axe has finally fallen at the Emirates. In a season that has spiraled from disappointment to disaster, the 3-4 home defeat to Leicester City this afternoon was the final, chaotic act of the Ben Davies era.
At 16:45, just hours after the final whistle condemned Arsenal to yet another defensive collapse, Chairperson Bradley Smith confirmed what the fans had been demanding for weeks: Davies has been relieved of his duties.
The Collapse of a Contender
It is startling to remember that this same manager led Arsenal to a Premier League runner-up finish just last year in 2054. But football is a merciless business, and nostalgia offers no protection against the cold reality of the league table.
Arsenal currently languish in 15th place, a position that is frankly embarrassing for a club of this stature. The statistics are damning: they have lost three of their last five league games, turning a stadium once known as a fortress into a playground for visiting teams.
The Seven-Goal Thriller That Sealed His Fate
If ever a match summed up a managerial reign unraveling, it was today’s clash with Leicester. It had everything: goals, chaos, late drama, and ultimately, failure.
Arsenal actually showed spirit, with Ali Kretzschmar netting a brace (including a 90th-minute consolation) and Nelson Campos finding the net. But defensively, they were shambolic. Allowing Alberto to score twice, and conceding a decisive 86th-minute penalty to Juan Martin Caballero, highlighted the fragility that has plagued Davies’ side all season.
To score three goals at home and still lose is a criminal abdication of control. It was the performance of a team that can punch, but has a glass jaw.
What Next for the Gunners?
Ferenc Herczeg has been placed in temporary charge while the board begins the search for a successor. They inherit a squad with obvious talent—Kretzschmar and Campos are quality operators—but one devoid of confidence and structure.
For Ben Davies, a 25-year career that included stints at Barcelona and Ajax ends on a sour note in North London. He famously suffered the ignominy of a Carabao Cup exit to Rotherham in 2054, but today’s defeat will hurt more. It wasn’t a cup upset; it was the moment the board realized he could no longer stop the rot.
Arsenal are looking for a new manager. On this evidence, they need a miracle worker.