EM Bellerin: Unai has all the players backing his vision... Everyone at club trusts in him to turn this around
HECTOR BELLERIN insists Unai Emery has the full backing of the Arsenal dressing room – if not the supporters.
The mood at the Emirates on Thursday night was fraught as the Gunners came from behind to beat Portuguese outfit Vitoria SC in the Europa League with two late Nicolas Pepe strikes.
But whi l e the 3- 2 win maintained the club’s 100 per cent record in the competition, the home s upport were chanting the name of German outcast Mesut Ozil after 23 minutes.
That was a clear show of anger towards their manager – and his refusal to include the playmaker in his matchday squads.
But if that issue, allied to poor results like last Monday night’s 1- 0 league defeat at Sheffield United, has left the Gunners faithful doubting Emery’s ability, that is not a view shared by the players, according to Bellerin.
And the fit- again Spanish full-back is equally certain that former Paris Saint-germain boss Emery continues to enjoy the unwavering support of the Arsenal hierarchy.
Ahead of today’s visit of Crystal Palace, Bellerin declared: “This team has evolved a lot since the
■ Arsenal manager Unai Emery hasn’t lost back-to-back home league matches against an opponent since 2013. beginning of last season. When the board sign a manager like Unai, they know it’s all part of a process.
“He has his own ideas – and he’s done so well at Sevilla, Valencia and Paris Saint- Germain that everyone trusts in the manager.”
Much of the criticism for Emery is over a perceived lack of improvement on the pitch since he succeeded Arsene Wenger 15 months ago.
The Gunners defence is still dodgy. They struggle on their travels, and are still miles off being title challengers.
But Bellerin, one of Arsenal’s five captains, added: “If you take away the last three games from last year, it would have been a very positive season.
“Sometimes things don’t go your way – as on Thursday when we’re 2-1 down with 10 minutes to go. But it’s about turning it around and showing character. We have that at the club.”
As for his battle to regain his place in Emery’s Premier League line-up after eight months out with a cruciate injury, Bellerin has declared himself ready.
Admitting there was plenty of personal despair at being sidelined so long, the Gunners ace still found some positives amid a nightmare situation.
Bellerin, who has started the last two Europa League games, said: “These kinds of injuries are not just about making sure the knee is solid. It’s about getting confidence back on the pitch.
“You need to get used to the traffic again, getting kicked and stuff. Sometimes being thrown into games is the best remedy. I hope the manager feels the same.
“When you are stopped from doing something you love so much, there’s nothing worse.
“But I had distractions – like living at home for two months. Although I was on the sofa and couldn’t move, it was a long time since I’d enjoyed my friends and family. If life takes things from you, it can give you other positives.
“It’s always important to look