Football news - Read Unai Emery's 'letter of thanks' to Arsenal after being sacked

Emery was dismissed after a run of seven games without a win, with Arsenal appointing assistant manager and former midfielder Freddie Ljungberg on an interim basis.

The dismissal brings an end to Emery's 18-month reign at the club, with the Spaniard ultimately unable to boost the club's fortunes following Arsene Wenger's departure.

But despite the untimely sacking, Emery declared it an "honour" to manage Arsenal, stating he "would have liked nothing more than to have achieved better results".

"It has been an honour to be the Arsenal head coach," began Emery, in a message on the club's website.

"To all the fans, I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for helping me to understand and feel the greatness of Arsenal. To all of you who have supported us from every corner of the globe, all of you who have come to the Emirates, all of you who have waited in the rain and cold just to greet me after a game. I want to tell all of you that I have worked with passion, with commitment and with effort.

"I also want to send a message of gratitude to all Arsenal employees for the way they have treated me. The greatness of Arsenal is in every director, executive, employee, assistant and volunteer.

"In particular, I want to highlight Ivan Gazidis, who welcomed me to the club, and Raul Sanllehi, Edu and Vinai Venkatesham for their respect, companionship and help. Until the very last minute I have been treated with honour and honesty. And of course, I send my sincere gratitude to the Kroenke family, for their trust.

"It has been a year and a half full of emotions, of great moments and some other more bitter ones, but not a single day has gone by without me stopping to think about how lucky I have been to work for this club with these players and their professional and personal qualities.

"They have always honoured the shirt they wear. They deserve your support.

"I had already experienced a lot in football, but I have enjoyed and learned a lot in England, in the Premier League, about respect for professionals and about the purity of football.

"My best wishes always.

"COYG"