Unai Emery on Wenger: In a detailed interview with Spanish outlet Marca, Unai Emery pressed on various issues, including Arsene Wenger’s tenure.
Arsenal have been impressive under Unai Emery so far. The Gunners are on a 16-match unbeaten run across all competitions, even when they were held to a draw in their last 3 Premier League games.
After losing both of their opening games of the season, Arsenal made a solid comeback and are yet to concede a loss since. However, the three consecutive league draws have pushed Arsenal to fifth position in the league, three points behind Tottenham.
The side will return to Premier League this weekend as they take on Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth. Unai Emery will aim to end Arsenal’s frustrating run, and close the gap with top-4.
Meanwhile, Emery gave his first interview since his appointment as the manager of Arsenal, to Spanish media outlet Marca. The Arsenal manager pressed on various issues, and also talked about Arsene Wenger’s tenure at the club.
Unai Emery on Wenger:
Unai Emery revealed that he talked to Wenger after his appointment, but the meeting had little impact over his plans for the side.
“I met once with him, and little else,” Emery said. “I respect him a lot but no matter how much info he gave me, I had to change things. I told the players: ‘We start from scratch.’ Even now, four months later, I still say it: ‘We are in the beginning!'”
Unai Emery’s full interview with @marca [THREAD]
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Unai Emery also stated that Arsenal turned the club into an attacking side, but the team lacked the defensive structure and eventually went on a decline.
“Before Wenger arrived, Arsenal celebrated the 1-0 [win] and was based on defensive solidity. Then with Arsène, joy was turned into attack, with players of good standing, and the perfect combination was the Invincibles.
Unai Emery interview with @Marca about all things Arsenal. He said he inherited a superb squad attacking wise but defensively they lacked structure, and added the club was in decline and in desperate need for fresh air after 22 years of Arsène Wenger.https://t.co/gmlsKzMa7f
— Arsènic™ (@MrArsenicTM) November 22, 2018
“But over time, only technical quality and offensive freedom were taken care of, and the team lost the defensive structure.”
He stated that he wants to unite both the parts of the game and bring Arsenal back to its former glory.
“We had to rearrange the furniture, sweep under the carpets and open the windows” – Unai Emery says Arsenal needed a breath of fresh air after 22 years of Arsene Wengerhttps://t.co/ButZwN8wL3#UnaiEmery #Arsenal pic.twitter.com/br7SQrqSfA
— AFP Sport (@AFP_Sport) November 22, 2018
“What I want is to unite both essences and be more competitive. The Arsenal was in decline. We had to stop it and start climbing,” Emery said.
