Emery calls on Gunners to give the fans a lift

UNAI EMERY has admitted that Arsenal need to entertain their fans.

The Gunners boss, whose side were paired with Rennes in the Europa League last-16 draw yesterday, is struggling to impose his style nine months after taking charge at the Emirates.

Emery had also hoped to master English by Christmas but his command is still so poor that he is struggling to get his message across to players and fans.

The Spaniard has urged his stars to produce good football to lift the mood of disenchanted fans.

Emery said: “We have to create a good feeling for our supporters, a good atmosphere. We have to show quality and we have to show energy.”

Arsenal’s home form is impressive but away from home they have won only five times in 13 Premier League games.

“We show intensity more at home than away from home,” Emery said. “Consistency is my target.

“I demand every player to press, to push for 90 minutes, to give the opposition a difficult 90 minutes.

“We did that here (against BATE in the Europa League on Thursday) but each match is a new chapter, a new challenge.”

And the former Sevilla and Paris Saint-Germain boss hinted that he might shuffle the pack against Southampton tomorrow as the demands of the Europa League and the push for a top-four place begin to tell.

“On Sunday I may change some players if I know they are going to give us intensity,” he said. “Usually, we have players who did not play in the previous game and can help us.”

Emery is still convinced that Arsenal can finish in the top four – they currently lie fifth, just a point behind Manchester United. “The Premier League is the first priority and we are fighting with Manchester United and Chelsea ( for the top four),” he said.

“Sunday is a big challenge again against Southampton. It is just three days after our last match and we must play again on Wednesday so we will need every player.”

Mesut Ozil may drop out again even though his team-mates appear to want him involved.

Arsenal defender Sokratis believes the German, who started against BATE, is crucial.

“Mesut is a fantastic player and when he is fit he is one of the most important players in the team,” he said. “All the players are behind him and we need a good Mesut because we know that he is very important for us.”

Gunners have offered the job of technical director to Monchi, currently employed in a similar role at Roma.

The 50-year-old Spaniard (above) was a goalkeeper for Sevilla in the 1990s. Former Gunner Marc Overmars was also considered