Unai Emery defends Arsenal reign: People have forgotten how it was under Arsene Wenger!

Criticised: Unai Emery
AFP via Getty Images

Unai Emery has launched an impassioned defence of his Arsenal career to date and reminded some of his critics they have short memories about the state of the club before he arrived.

In the wake of Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United on Monday, Emery has come under fire from supporters and pundits.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher on Monday said: “I don’t see anything different from when Arsene Wenger was there at the end. I don’t see it.”

Emery on Wednesday subsequently launched a passionate defence of his reign so far at Arsenal, citing how he has made the club more competitive since taking charge last year.

“Sometimes we forget the memory and we need to remember. When I arrived here, this team needed to improve being more competitive,” said Emery.

“This team in the history was winning 1-0 and being very competitive, but it wasn’t enough. Then one process being competitive and with improved creativity.

“When I arrived here, the creativity is more or less good, but being competitive was worse. It was not enough.

“I think last year I started to improve being competitive, also more or less creativity with some very good matches playing with that creativity.

“The supporters, there are a lot of supporters with different opinions. Some want more creativity, some want maybe more intensity, more energy. I want both and my way is both, both sometimes one player is less with than that another because this is the way.

“Last year we did not achieve, we were in the table by one point and in the Europa League final and we lost in the end. And OK, we were there. And this year - be there and take it.”

A portion of the criticism directed at Emery has revolved around the style of football Arsenal play, with some supporters arguing the team have lost their flair.

Emery has admitted the balance is not quite right when it comes to marrying competitiveness and creativity, but he has urged people to give him time as he looks to blood young players into the first team.

“OK we lost [against Sheffield United] and it was a bad moment. 24 hours after I have struggled with the same feelings, but that is normal. That is my life,” said Emery.

“I have one friend say to me: ‘Go to train your town team on the Riviera and you don’t have that problem’.

“But I know this is my work. And also my work is to analyse, to respond to you and to the supporters. They are also waiting to see our strategy on how we can improve.

“We are playing for our supporters and my message is that we are going to carry on with patience, and tomorrow they will feel this team is playing as we want and also transmitting energy and playing good.

“My idea is being competitive, creativity and getting here. We are in one process with some young players - patience!”

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