Nothing for me to prove to Unai
LUCAS MOURA says he has nothing to prove to Unai Emery despite a simmering row that continues to mystify French football.
The Tottenham forward was signed by Paris Saint-Germain from Sao Paulo in 2013 and settled well in Ligue 1.
When Emery arrived as manager in 2016, the pair seemed to hit it off with only club legend Edinson Cavani scoring more than the 19 goals Moura managed in 48 outings, on top of 10 assists.
And yet the following season, after the arrival of close friend and compatriot Neymar, Moura found himself frozen out, playing just 79 minutes before being sold to Spurs in January for £25.2million.
He later described it as “the worst seven months of my life” but, when the pair come face to face again in the north London derby at the Emirates on Sunday, Moura says there will no need for him to prove himself to the Arsenal manager.
“I believe in my talent, in my quality,” said Moura, 26. “I will try to show it to him at Spurs – to enjoy the life because I love to play football.”
The rumours in France are that Moura was dropped by Emery because he was perceived to be the source of a dressingroom leak, although both men have refused to elaborate on reasons for the sudden drop in playing time.
Moura seemed to become persona non grata after a spat between Neymar and Cavani over penaltytaking duties was splashed across the French media.
“I’ve talked to him,” is all Emery said at the time, “and with all due respect to him, I think he has no options here and has to look for another club because he is a great player.”
Moura was just as tight-lipped after Wednesday’s Champions League win over Inter, saying: “It’s difficult for me to speak about him.
“I need to respect the decision of the coach. It’s something we cannot explain. He never told me why.
“I have nothing against Unai, I respect him, he is a very good coach.”