Tuesday 22 May 2018

Obsessed Unai Emery could hold answers to Arsenal's problems

After finishing in second behind Leicester City three seasons ago the situation at Arsenal deterioted greatly in the last two seasons resulting in the Gunners first finishing outside the Champions League positions under Arsene Wenger, then Arsenal fared even worse in the 2017/18 season finishing in sixth.

That sixth placed finish came as a result of what was Wenger's worst performance as Arsenal manager losing 12 matches - the most he's had in a league season -, winning just one away game in 2018 and performed extremely poorly in crunch matches against the sides above them collecting just six points.

For some part those results came from Arsenal's weak resolve, feeble defending and tactical naivety, but also to a greater degree came down to Arsene Wenger losing that vital spark a manager requires.

You could say much about the quality of his Arsenal squad but you'd notice that when push came to shove such as when they were pummeled by Liverpool at Anfield the Frenchman displayed very little in the way feeling and under any another other manager you'd expect a team like Arsenal to receive at least a tongue lashing or players being named and shamed in the post match interviews.  

Wenger seemed to have a degree of numbness in the final years of his tenure at Arsenal and that combined with a seeming lack of passion for the game, a requisite for success, it was inevitable that Arsenal were bound for Thursday nights consisting of Europa League football.

After his retirement at the end of the season it made sense, even though it was unexpected, to appoint Unai Emery as his successor. The Spaniard is set to be announced as the next Arsenal manager later this week.

Say what you about his time at PSG one thing that's become clear from his previous managerial experience is his eye for detail and obsession with the beautiful game.

A point relayed by ex player Joaquin to the Guardian back in 2015: "Emery put on so many videos I ran out of popcorn,” he joked “he’s obsessed by football, it’s practically an illness.”

And even though Emery was not the man most Arsenal fans would have wanted, it is that obsession with improvement and meticulous approach to the game that make him the perfect candidate for a side which at times never was able to improve or have concrete plan in mind when approaching the game.

Even in the vast riches and talents that were present in his last job, Emery was focused on fine tuning PSG into the club that it hopes to become in the future by tweaking some of the finer qualities of Neymar's game.

“We are analysing some videos with him to see how he can grow,” said Emery last year, “especially in his positioning and how to work with his colleagues.”

His style of going over extensive video footage may have not been the right approach for a club like PSG considering their infinite riches and approach to the game, and at Arsenal his approach to the game could pay dividends. 

His for eye for detail and constant improvement is responsible for producing some of the biggest names in football in recent memory. These include the likes of David Silva, Alvaro Negredo, Juan Mata and Jesus Navas. 

In his time at PSG he also allowed young talent to rise to the top with Adrien Rabiot, Presnel Kimpembe and Giovanni Lo Celso coming into first team picture as a result. That youth development would prove to be invaluable at a club like Arsenal who don't have the financial muscle of a Man City, United or Chelsea.

It also doesn't hurt that he got somewhat an endorsement to manage the club from Arsenal legend Ian Wright.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Wright had this to say about Emery: " His coaching ability will have to get going instantly and he will have to find some gems instantly.

"I wouldn't be disgruntled as an Arsenal fan about Unai Emery, I think the fact he's come out of left field when everyone's thinking 'it's going to be Arteta', that's the only problem. If we do see a difference in intensity, drive and consistency everybody will get onside and that's all Arsenal fans want to see."




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