Unai must make his mark soon
UNAI EMERY will be in no doubt as to the importance of the season ahead.
It is effectively a make-or-break campaign for the Arsenal manager, set against a backdrop of difficult circumstances.
The Gunners are facing a third year in the Europa League, without the prestige or the cash from playing in the Champions League, which will hit the club hard both on and off the pitch.
Emery, 47, inherited a squad in need of major surgery and, despite making signings, would probably have wanted to do more, especially in defence.
The Arsenal boss (below) has had to tweak rather than rebuild and it will be the ultimate test for a coach still judged on what he achieved at Sevilla, leading the Spanish club to three consecutive Europa League trophies.
It was mixed elsewhere in his career, spending four years at Valencia and then two at Paris Saint-germain where he enjoyed success but struggled to manage with the biggest stars.
Emery is at a point in time where he is a well respected, well renowned coach but not seen as being among Europe’s elite, and Arsenal is the club that can put him on that level.
The Spaniard’s biggest test now will be to get Arsenal back into the Champions League places, to get them back into the big time and to be competitive again as they were during the first half of Arsene Wenger’s reign.
Arsenal fans are largely on board, despite frustrations with last year’s poor away form and the end-of-season collapse which saw them blow a place in the top four and lose the Europa Leagueeague final, which would have been a passport back intinto the Champions Leleague.
But even more pressing for the fans is p pt to really understand what Emery is about in terms te of his managerial philosophy phi and style of football. footb
Some oof the football was rather turgid last season and it was difficult to know whether he is a coach who favours possession football, counter attacking, or the pressing game.
Emery’s English has improved – he did not take an interpreter with him preseason – and communication with the fans will be vital.
He has a three-year contract but needs to get his message across soon. Having made good progress, it’s now make or break.
Arsenal’s Greek defender Sokratis admits that, for the players, they fully understand Emery’s methods now and his second season in charge should be better as a result.
Sokratis said: “We’re all together and we’re much better now and we know how the trainer likes us to be.
“After one year we know what he likes and what he doesn’t like, and I think we’re in a good moment also with the young guys because they help a lot and I hope things are going good.”