We can move forward the Klopp way, says Emery

Arsenal manager Unai Emery has said he wants to channel Liverpool rival Jurgen Klopp’s happy-golucky approach to management and bring “positivity” back to the Emirates.

Arsenal’s record against the “big six” sides has been poor in recent years, but Emery is hoping his own brand of Klopp-like enthusiasm can inspire his players this evening.

“I want to enjoy it every day,” said Emery. “I look at Klopp and he smiles every day. I want to smile like him. A smile is better when you win. We need to do things positive, with smiling and then enjoying, but also enjoying and working.

“I need to learn to smile more. When we win it is more easy. I need also to smile at other moments.

“But our work is very demanding work for us. Every day we need to be very prepared for each match. Then it is very easy to transmit to the players a smile.”

Emery, who celebrates his 47th birthday today, will hope to savour a victory similar to when his Sevilla side defeated Liverpool in the final of the 2016 Europa League.

Klopp’s side have since progressed to the Champions League final and Emery believes they are a good example for Arsenal to follow.

“This team [Liverpool] three seasons ago, they were playing in the final of the Europa League,” Emery said. “Their development was to last season play in the final of the Champions League. For us, it’s a good example of how you can improve.”

Meanwhile, Klopp is predicting the tightest title race in years as he insisted that Liverpool would not become intimidated by Manchester City’s relentless title defence.

“It doesn’t make sense to think like that because it puts you in a situation where you feel like you are not in charge. You react on what they do,” he said.

“It’s like it is, and hopefully it stays like this until the end of the season. It is probably the most exciting season for years.”