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Tag: Unai Emery

  • EPL: Arsenal must improve slow starts – Emery

    EPL: Arsenal must improve slow starts – Emery

    Arsenal boss Unai Emery said his side’s slow start to games is an area they need to improve after they came from behind to draw at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.

    The visitors had taken the lead in the first half through Ivan Cavaleiro’s close-range finish before Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored a late equaliser.

    Arsenal, along with Cardiff, are the only two sides in the Premier League yet to be leading at half-time in any of their matches so far this season.

    “Maybe [starting slow is] one thing we can improve but that comes naturally in our work,” Emery said.

    “The team played with character and we had chances to draw before our goal. We also continued to look for ways to create and to win the game but then we drew.

    “In the last five or 10 minutes, we had the same idea with the risk but also thinking to win.”

    The fifth-placed Gunners are three points behind fourth-placed Tottenham, while Wolves remain 11th in the table.

  • Arsenal v Liverpool: We want to write a new history – Emery

    Arsenal v Liverpool: We want to write a new history – Emery

    Arsenal boss Unai Emery wants to help the club “write a new history” as the Gunners seek to turn around their miserable record against their major Premier League rivals, starting with Liverpool on Saturday.

    The Gunners won just one out of nine games against Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham last season but Emery is prepared to change that starting with the game against Liverpool.

    “We’re excited for tomorrow but it’s a difficult game,” Emery said during his pre-match conference ahead of the game.

    “We want to write a new history. The new history is in the present and also, with our players, our quality and our capacity, I believe in my players and this project.”

    “We are starting this project with a very positive way with what we are doing.”

    “They have signed a lot of players. They are a good, big example of how you can improve.

    On the game,Emery said: “Each match is a very important match. The most important is tomorrow. It’s a very big test because it’s against Liverpool.”

    “They are a very good team, an intense team, and they require a lot of work for us to battle them but I believe in our team and our players.”

    “We are also going to play our way.”

    “We need to stop them doing their jobs in the 90 minutes.”

    “They have individual players and also are a collective. They are developing moves with the goalkeeper beceause they build up through Alisson, the centre-backs and the midfield players.”

    “They can progress up the pitch with a lot of quality starting with Alisson.”

    “We need a big match in the individual duels against them and also tactically we need to be together and play with our identity and style that we need to impose on them.”

    It’s difficult for 90 minutes but in moments we need to impose our ideas in a duel of 90 minutes.

  • Arsenal must improve a lot of things to catch leaders – Emery

    Arsenal must improve a lot of things to catch leaders – Emery

    Arsenal boss Unai Emery says his team must improve in several areas if they are to catch the Premier League’s frontrunners – despite their fine form.

    A win over Leicester City on Monday would give the Gunners a 10th straight victory, their best sequence of results since October 2007.
    However Emery, whose side could move into third with a victory by four goals, is still demanding more.
    “We need to get better in a lot of things now,” Emery said.
    “It is our best target now, don’t stop. Think and analyse with the players to improve.”
    Since defeat to Manchester City and Chelsea in the opening two games of the season, the Spaniard – who joined Arsenal in May – has steered his new club to victories in every game.
    But Emery is conscious Arsenal are still playing catch-up with those two clubs – with leaders City five points ahead of his side and Chelsea three clear.
    “We need to carry on to find our best individual and collective performance to stay close to them,” he added.
    “They are two teams in form and with more points than us. Their qualities and performances are very, very high. But also we are improving our things.
    Full-back Hector Bellerin echoed his manager’s sentiments and says the players are still adjusting to Emery’s style of play.
    “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” he told the club’s website.
    “We probably risk it a bit more than before, but for us it is important for our fans and for everyone around us to believe in this idea we have.
    “For us it is about getting used to the system, be a team, be competitive and have this winning mentality, take it to the next level and become the team that the manager has in mind.”
    BBC

  • Kanu hits back at Unai Emery for criticising Ozil style of play

    Kanu hits back at Unai Emery for criticising Ozil style of play

    Nwankwo Kanu has told Arsenal boss Unai Emery to focus more on the strenght and attacking qualities of Mesut Ozil rather than try to alter the German’s style of play.

    Ozil who recently announced his retirement from international football has been heavily maligned for his poor display and casual body language in recent games.

    Kanu who spent six years at Arsenal however suggests that the club should allow the 29-year-old, who earns £300,000 a week leave the club or make room for him to thrive better in the team.

    “Every player is different. What you need is his strengths, not his weaknesses. He (Emery) can work on his weaknesses, but you can’t change him,” Kanu told The Sun.

    “Either you accept him or you let him go. You don’t want Maradona or Messi to go back and defend, you want them to go and do what they know how to do.

    “If it’s a style of play, the coach has to accommodate that and make room for Mesut to play in that manner. I don’t know why people are still complaining a lot about him.”

  • Emery warns Ozil, insists every player must defend for Arsenal

    Arsenal head coach Unai Emery has warned Mesut Ozil he must help his team-mates to defend as he calls for commitment from all of his players.

    The Gunners travel to Chelsea on Saturday evening on the back of a 2-0 home defeat to reigning Premier League champions Manchester City in Emery’s first game in charge.

    The Spaniard has called for full commitment ahead of Saturday’s trip to Chelsea and insists Ozil, who has been criticised in the past for a perceived lack of effort at times, will be expected to give his all when defending for the team.

    When asked about the defensive duties placed on Ozil during the defeat to City, Emery replied: “Every player needs to defend in the true moment of a match.

    “There are defensive moments and attacking moments. Every player each needs this commitment. For me, we need to start together, whether we are attacking or defending. I want that from every player.

    “The position Ozil is playing all his career like a number 10-player, like a right-winger going inside to receive the ball.

    “It’s clear he needs the ball more to give more options in the attacking moments. He needs to do it in each match, be demanding for us but defensive moments are for each and every player.”

    Emery opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation against City but has hinted his preferred system could change as the season progresses.

    “It depends on the performance and if the performance is good,” said the Spaniard.

    “I want to give them the chances in each match and maybe we need a lot of matches for the chances for every player but we started with the pre-season and every player is playing for chances and minutes and with all the competitions.

    “We only play Sunday, Sunday, Sunday but in September we will start playing Sunday and Thursday and also we are going to play more matches and I think every player will get chances to show us his performance for the team.”

  • EPL: Three big decisions Unai Emery must make ahead of Chelsea clash

    EPL: Three big decisions Unai Emery must make ahead of Chelsea clash

    After being defeated in his opening game as Arsenal manager, Unai Emery has another tough ask as he bids to claim his first win in English football when he takes his team to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea at Saturday.

    The Gunners were never really given a look-in by champions Manchester City, who eased to a 2-0 success thanks to goals from Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva, and things will hardly get easier when they travel across the capital, Metro reports.

    Chelsea were themselves in full control as they eased past Huddersfield Town in their opening game, and they could recall Eden Hazard from the start such are the options available to Maurizio Sarri.

    If Emery is to move on from last weekend’s disappointment what factors does he have to consider and how can he orchestrate his first Arsenal win since he replaced Arsene Wenger?

    Matteo Guendouzi or Lucas Torreira?

    Frenchman Guendouzi looked overwhelmed and outclassed against Manchester City – as many with his limited experience might – but it could be that his future outings are left for lower key opponents.

    If Chelsea, as expected, do throw everything at Arsenal on their own patch then bringing in Torreira both as a ball-winner and as a player capable of keeping the ball could be key to stemming the flow.

    Torreira played just 20 minutes against City and a string of fans and former Arsenal players were disappointed to see him restricted to a substitute outing. The 22-year-old’s involvement in the World Cup may be linked to Emery leaving him on the bench but the appetite for the Uruguay international to start this weekend is insatiable.

    Will Lacazette and Aubameyang play together?

    Arsenal looked an entirely different proposition going forward once Alexandre Lacazette came on to play in behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on Sunday.

    Aaron Ramsey made way and it gave the hosts a new threat in attack and though they weren’t able to register, it gave City something to think about. Can the France international keep his place? It would be bold of Emery to adopt an attacking guise this weekend and not at least attempt to match up Chelsea’s midfield three.

    Nevertheless, Emery must identify his first choice front four without much more delay.

    Arsenal fans have been debating all summer which of Aubameyang and Lacazette will lead the attack and while the Gabon man has the edge, many would like to see them play together.

    The subtext of Ramsey’s failure to agree a new contract may also play a part in the selection, with the midfielder unlikely to be happy if he is left out while fresh terms are being discussed.

    The left-back dilemma

    Such has been Arsenal’s fortunes when it has come to injuries in recent seasons Wenger would have been well-served leaving a dossier for his replacement.

    That there was a fitness concern in the first half of Emery’s opening game in charge should come as no surprise as Ainsley Maitland-Niles went off with a knee problem after a collision with Kyle Walker.

    Stephan Lichsteiner came on out-of-position at left-back but the Swiss veteran cannot be a long-term option in that position. Nacho Monreal has a knee injury and is not likely to be ready in time to face Chelsea while Sead Kolasinac has a similar problem which will keep him out for two months.

    Moving another defender to the left-side is an option, but it would leave the back-four horribly unbalanced. Rob Holding and Lichtsteiner are among the candidates, while a defensive-minded midfielder likes Mohamed Elneny could be considered as a last ditch solution.

    Nevertheless, it is a dilemma which will leaves Pedro, Willian and Eden Hazard licking their lips.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Arsenal: Stupid way of playing, Allardyce blasts Emery over loss

    Former England boss, Sam Allardyce has laid into new Arsenal boss Unai Emery for having his side play out from the back against Manchester City.

    Emery underwent a baptism of fire in the opening day weekend of the Premier League, facing off with the champions at the Emirates on Sunday.

    The Gunners fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Pep Guardiola’s charges, although it could have been a larger scoreline in favour of the visitors, who dominated proceedings throughout.

    Well known for their high pressing game, City took Arsenal to task, and Allardyce has laid the blame squarely at Emery’s doorstep.

    “It’s the manager’s fault,” the former England boss told Talksport . “Don’t ask someone to do against Manchester City what you shouldn’t do.

    “What do Manchester City do? Press, press, press, so why do you try and play out [from the back]?

    “Even the Arsenal crowd cheered when they dropped one in the opposition’s half!

    “You cannot just force ‘the only way to play is this way’ in this country.

    “We’re getting obsessed with this stupid ‘let’s play out from the back, split the centre-halfs either side of the 18-yard box and go and play from there’.

    “It’s utter rubbish to play like that all the time.”

    It was put to ‘Big Sam’ that City themselves took risks, with Guardiola’s preferred method of play also to build from the back, to which he replied:

    “When you’re the best you can do it.”

     

  • EPL: Unai Emery named Koscielny Arsenal’s main captain

    EPL: Unai Emery named Koscielny Arsenal’s main captain

    Arsenal head coach Unai Emery has named defender Laurent Koscielny as his main captain, with Mesut Ozil listed as one of four vice-captains.

    Koscielny, currently out with an ankle injury, captained the side in place of Per Mertesacker last season.

    Mertesacker retired from playing at the end of the campaign, assuming the role of Arsenal’s academy manager.

    Ahead of Emery’s Premier League bow at home to Manchester City on Sunday, the Spaniard has also named four vice-captains; Ozil , Petr Cech, Aaron Ramsey, and Granit Xhaka – one of whom will take the armband in Koscielny’s absence.

    Unai Emery’s first Premier League match as Arsenal head coach comes against champions Man City on Sunday.

    On the appointments, Emery said: “The captain of this group is Laurent Koscielny, who is injured at the moment. After Laurent, our other captains are Petr Cech, Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, and Granit Xhaka.

    “I want leaders in the team – every player at every time to have the capacity to show leadership, but these are the five players who have the possibility to be captain.”

  • Arsenal coach Emery wants ‘five captains’ in his team

    Arsenal coach Emery wants ‘five captains’ in his team

    Arsenal head coach Unai Emery says he wants “five captains” in his team as he tries to find the “best personalities” in his dressing room.

    The Spaniard, who took over from Arsene Wenger in May, said Laurent Koscielny would remain his “first captain”.

    “My idea is to know every player and to know, also, the personality of the players,” said Emery, 43.

    “We want to keep the respect for these players, to find the captain and choose very well the best player for that.”

    France centre-back Koscielny, 32, is expected to be out until December with a ruptured Achilles tendon, which caused him to miss the World Cup.

    Full-back Stephan Lichtsteiner, one of Emery’s five summer signings, skippered Switzerland in Russia this summer.

    “I think my first idea is to have five captains in the team,” Emery added. “But at the moment, I don’t know the names.

    “We are looking at, looking for, who are the players whose personality is the best in the dressing room.”

    ‘We signed the players we needed’

    In addition to Lichtsteiner, Arsenal have signed Germany goalkeeper Bernd Leno and Greece defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos, as well as midfielders Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi.

    Former PSG and Sevilla boss Emery said that could conclude their summer business.

    “Maybe we can bring in one if there’s a very good possibility for them to help us, but the club has done a great job of signing new players and I am happy.

    “We signed the players who we needed. We will only sign a player in the next month if he’s a big opportunity.”

  • Arsenal: Unai Emery’s poor record v Mourinho, Guardiola

    New Arsenal manager Unai Emery has failed to beat Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho in 15 attempts as a manager.

    Spaniard Emery was appointed as Arsene Wenger’s successor at the Emirates on Wednesday, arriving after a two-year spell at PSG.

    The 46-year-old won three Europa League trophies between 2014 and 2016, but his record against some of the Premier League’s top managers may worry some Arsenal fans after spells with PSG, Sevilla, Spartak Moscow, Valencia and Almeria.

    “[Emery is a] top manager. His career speaks for itself,” Pep Guardiola said on Wednesday. “He did it perfectly in Spain with many teams – Valencia, Sevilla.” But his record against the current Man City manager is poor.

    In 10 meetings with Guardiola, Emery won none, drew four and lost six, at a rate of 0.4 points per game, while against Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho, he won none of his five games, drawing just once at 0.2 points per game.

    Other Premier League managers

    Of the current Premier League managers, Emery’s sides have played most against new West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini, winning three of his 12 games, losing six and drawing three at one point per game.

    He has a decent record against Spurs’ Mauricio Pochettino (P7 W4 L2 D1 – 1.86 points per game), and has won the single game he has played against both Rafa Benitez and Jurgen Klopp.

    The big three in Spain

    Emery’s record against the three biggest clubs in La Liga during his managerial career is also a concern; in 70 games against Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, Emery’s sides have won just 10 times.

    Emery’s 25 games against Barca have yielded just two wins, six draws and 17 defeats, including that infamous 6-1 loss in PSG’s Champions League last 16 second leg in 2016/17.

    Against Real Madrid, he won five out of 22 games, drawing one and losing 16, while against Atletico he won just three of 23, drawing 10 and losing 10.

    Against English sides

    Of Emery’s 11 games against English sides, he has won three times, the latest coming in the Europa League final against Klopp’s Liverpool in 2016.

    The other two victories came in Valencia’s Europa League round of 32 clash against Stoke in 2012, but he has suffered defeats against Man City, Man Utd and Chelsea in Europe.

    He drew both games with PSG against Arsenal in the group stage of the 2016/17 Champions League, his only two games against his new club.

    European record

    Emery’s Europa League prowess is almost unrivalled, with his three victories equalled only by Giovanni Trapattoni with Inter Milan and Juventus.

    In his 73 Europa League games, he suffered just nine defeats, a good sign as Arsenal may look to Champions League qualification through Europe’s second competition next season.

    But in the Champions League, Emery has never progressed past the last 16, winning 18, drawing nine and losing 16 of his 43 games in the competition with PSG, Sevilla, Spartak Moscow and Valencia.