PREMIER LEAGUE LONG HAUL

Gunners won’t make same mistakes as United.. Emery will be given time

CARDIFF

ARSENAL legend Ray Parlour insists the Gunners won’t fall into the same trap as Manchester United and look for a quick-fix after Arsene Wenger.

And he is certain that new boss Unai Emery won’t go the same way as David Moyes and Louis van Gaal, who were sacked at Old Trafford as United grappled with life after Sir Alex Ferguson.

Those struggles are still going on for the 13-time Premier League champions with Jose Mourinho – United’s THIRD manager in five years since Fergie left.

But Parlour is confident that Emery is in it for the long haul at the Emirates.

“I really believe Arsenal will give Unai Emery the time to get it right and that’s why I don’t see any parallels with what happened at United after Sir Alex Ferguson,” said the former Gunner.

“I can already see the fans are behind Emery, they’ve seen what he is trying to achieve and they will stick with it.

“I’m certain the board and people who appointed him will, too. We have seen at United that you can’t keep chopping and changing managers. I don’t think that works.

Intense

“If you do that, a new manager comes in and does completely the opposite and then where do the players stand after learning new methods? It all has to change and you have to start again.

“I think you have to give people time. Maybe you give him this season to bed everything in. And, as long as you can see it’s happening and getting closer to what he wants, then I think people will be happy even if they are not winning things this season.

“I hope he gets time, but you never know in football. Fans are so demanding and want instant results.

“I’ve heard it myself on the radio, with West Ham fans already questioning Manuel Pellegrini and calling for him to be sacked after just a few games.

“Arsenal seem to have a bigger picture and know that things won’t just happen in a flash. They have a vision behind scenes that could take two or three years to materialise.

“You are very lucky to have overnight success when you change managers.

“OK, Antonio Conte did it when he came in at Chelsea and won the Premier League in his first season, but it rarely happens. Emery is trying to change such a big factor and a fundamental philosophy – and that will take time.

“He’ll certainly need maybe a couple more windows to get all the players he wants. And the ones he’s got now need to get used to what he wants them to do first. Over time, he will see who is able to do that and who isn’t.

“The ones that don’t will get shipped out – players might progress under him and some might not.

“I don’t know who those will be, but, from what I have seen of Emery at close quarters so far, if you aren’t doing what he wants, he won’t let it drift – you’ll be dropped or hooked during games.”

Even though Emery is just weeks into his new role, Arsenal fans have already seen that with both Mezut Ozil (above left) and Aaron Ramsey.

The Spaniard is not afraid to be ruthless – and that’s fine by Parlour.

“I was with the team in Singapore pre-season and he’s a very demanding coach. His sessions are very fast and intense and he demands 100 per cent focus. In every session, he was drilling into the players what he wants and you can see that, if he senses someone isn’t on board with that, they won’t be around very long. He won’t tolerate players being in a comfort zone.

“That’s why I’m optimistic he will get it right and be given the time to make the changes he needs for Arsenal to play as he wants.”

Arsenal legend Ray Parlour is the new brand ambassador of Comeon! Sports & Casino, a leading sports betting and online casino brand.