Emery urges Suarez to take his chance as Arsenal chase top four

LONDON: Unai Emery has challenged Denis Suarez to finally make an impact as Arsenal bid to climb back into the Premier League’s top four against Newcastle today.

Suarez has struggled since his January loan move from Barcelona and the Spanish midfielder is yet to make a competitive start for the Gunners.

But a series of impressive displays at Arsenal’s recent training camp in Dubai could have earned the 25-year-old a chance to shine when Newcastle visit the Emirates Stadium.

“He is okay for starting in the first XI, to give us this impact,” Emery said. “We are going to need everybody, every player for the next matches.

“We decided to go away to train for four days and play a match in Dubai. But it’s the same idea, the same spirit.”

Emery was keen to work with Suarez again after signing on loan at Sevilla in 2014-15.

Asked about the time it had taken Suarez to settle in north London, Emery added: “It’s normal. Now we have a lot of players ready, with a big mentality and with a big performance to play and help us.”

Beating Newcastle, who have lost only one of their last six league games, would give Arsenal a 10th successive home league win, equalling a run they last enjoyed in the 1997-98 season in Arsene Wenger’s first full campaign as manager.

A victory is essential after Arsenal dropped to fifth place on Saturday as a result of Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Watford.

Emery’s men are one point behind United and can’t afford to drop points as they battle to qualify for next season’s Champions League via a top four finish or winning the Europa League.