Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Call for Unity After Man City Loss

Arsenal's new signings Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have called for unity at the club following the team's loss to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.

The Gunners have been blasted for their display in the Wembley Stadium showpiece and will face City for a second time in five days on Thursday with their top-four hopes hanging by a thread; they trail local rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who sit in fourth, by 10 points.

It's been a familiar tale for Arsenal in recent seasons, although the two new faces told Sky Sports the struggles can be overcome by pulling together.

"It's not the easiest time for the club, but we are here to help, do our best, and put Arsenal on the level that it was before," said Mkhitaryan, who arrived in a swap deal with Alexis Sanchez in January. "I know it's not going to be easy, but we're trying, and doing our best."

Aubameyang said the club find themselves in a "difficult moment" and added Arsenal have fallen short against "great teams."

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While both Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan were excellent in the 5-1 mauling of Everton, both have struggled to show their absolute best in subsequent matches. Both were on the field for the loss to Tottenham Hotspur, Mkhitaryan toiled in the 2-1 home defeat to Ostersunds, while Aubameyang was isolated throughout the City defeat.

Nevertheless, Paul Machin of Redmen TV said the two new arrivals are players the Gunners should be seeking to build around beyond this season:

As noted by WhoScored.com, the duo linked up tremendously in the past during their time with Borussia Dortmund:

Following the City surrender, more criticism has been thrown the way of Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.

According to John Cross of the Daily Mirror, the players and key figures in the Gunners hierarchy have started to lose faith in the veteran boss. Alternatives are said to be being considered ahead of a possible change of leadership in the summer.

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However, both of the new recruits praised Wenger in the interview. Mkhitaryan said it was a "pleasure" to work with a coach he considers a "role model." Aubameyang said he feels as though the 68-year-old is a "great manager."

As we can see courtesy of Match of the Day, Wenger was a little spiky with his response when asked about his future on Wednesday:

If Arsenal do lose to City, then any chances of a top-four finish are surely over for the second season in succession. It would mean their primary focus would be the UEFA Europa League, in which they are unable to call upon a cup-tied Aubameyang; they will also face a red-hot AC Milan in last 16.

The Gunners would benefit from Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan finding form in the final weeks of the Premier League season, although rekindling the chemistry they showed in Germany will take some time. Based on recent reports, it may not be Wenger in charge of the side when that relationship does eventually flourish.