April 06, (THEWILL) – Ex-Arsenal manager Unai Emery has suggested that fans of the north London club lacked the patience to wait for the absolutely necessary but lengthy rebuild that their team needed as he reminisced on his time at the Emirates.
Following Arsene Wenger’s resignation in 2018, Emery took over in north London and stayed until November the following year, losing in the Europa League final in his only complete season there.
Emery admitted that it was a tough job, saying: “It was a difficult moment for any coach coming in, to establish yourself.
“Certain players who had been important, but were not any longer, found that difficult to understand. The fans also found it difficult to understand that there needed to be an evolution. Changes were needed, and I began those changes.”
“It was not an easy process. The fans did not have patience. [Granit] Xhaka had problems with the fans and in the dressing room where other experienced players did not understand his role as captain. Xhaka was an important player for me — he was a good person, very committed to his coach.
“The club was happy with me, but the fans were calling for a change, and it had to happen.”
Emery has re-established himself as a top manager since leaving Arsenal, leading Villarreal to Europa League triumph last season. He even pulled one over on Arsenal in the semi-finals, knocking out his previous club.
The Gunners have struggled since Emery’s departure, but things are finally looking good this season, with them challenging for a top-four finish.
Emery, who is following the progress his old team is making, is aware of this and says he understands the reason why: “They have put together a group who are all going in the same direction, working together, showing respect.
“I knew that whoever began after Wenger, it was difficult for people to understand the changes that had to be made.
“[Mikel] Arteta is doing a good job, continuing what I began. He has had that patience from the fans, the patience they did not have with me. But I understand that.”
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
