Unai plea for time

UNAI EMERY has pleaded for patience as he bids “to get Arsenal back to where the club deserves to be”.

Arsenal’s 22-game unbeaten run earlier in the season sent optimism soaring at the Emirates, but a dip in form since has left the Gunners in fifth, six points outside the top four and level on points with a resurgent Manchester United.

Emery, left, said: “In terms of getting into the Champions League and finishing in the top four, which is our main objective, it is true that we are not there right now.

“But firstly, I believe we have time to achieve that this season. And secondly, we knew there were going to be difficulties in this process. The

most important thing is to be aware that the difficulties will come, and at that moment still be able to make progress.

“The idea is to get Arsenal back to where the club deserves to be, but it needs time.”

Emery, who replaced Arsene Wenger after the Frenchman’s 22-year spell in charge ended last season, told Sky Sports: “When a club changes manager, it is because they want something new.

“The challenge is to identify the good things but also the things that you have to change and improve.

“Here, obviously, there were lots of things to change and improve.

“It was a team which always had a great attack, with players who were very good technically, but with a very, very low level of defensive solidity.

One area in particular Emery has tackled head on is the role of £350,000-perweek top earner Mesut Ozil, with the Arsenal boss admitting he likes to “provoke friction with footballers”.

And Emery appeared to take a swipe at the muchmaligned German, who he is looking to offload in the January transfer window, saying: “In the end, the main thing with any footballer is that their qualities are used to benefit the team.

“At certain times, you have to provoke friction with footballers.

“From that friction, you can get something more out of them, something from inside, a greater sense of ambition or maybe even a complaint. A complaint regarding the team can be positive.

“As a manager, you have to be careful because that friction can break a relationship.”