Emery says Liverpool can equal Wenger’s ‘Invincibles’
LONDON: Arsenal coach Unai Emery believes Liverpool can match the achievement of Arsene Wenger’s ‘ Invincibles’ by going through a Premier League season without losing a match.
The Gunners travel to leaders Liverpool on Saturday with Jurgen Klopp’s men six points clear at the top of the table, having won 16 of their 19 league matches so far this season and drawing the other three.
Wenger’s side were undefeated as they won the Premier League in the 2003/04 season but Emery believes Liverpool, who have won their last eight games, could follow suit.
“At the moment they are doing it and they can do it,” Emery said when asked if Liverpool could go through a Premier League campaign without defeat.
“They can do that because they are doing it at the moment. We played against Liverpool three years ago with Sevilla in the final of the Europa League and I look at this progress and they are a very good example.”
Emery, who succeeded the long- serving Wenger after the end of last season, added: “The progression with Liverpool is clear. Three years ago, they were out of the Champions League through the Premier League and through the Europa League, because they lost against us (Sevilla).
“This progress is also one example for us, now, in our moment. But we need to be very, very demanding of ourselves to do this step quickly in our way. But we need also time and sometimes the patience is very important for us.”
Meanwhile, Emery has been charged with improper conduct after he kicked a bottle at a Brighton & Hove Albion supporter, the Football Association (FA) said on Thursday.
The Spanish coach immediately apologised to the fan following the incident during the closing moments of Arsenal’s 1-1 Premier League draw at the Amex Stadium on Wednesday.
Emery said he hoped the his swift apology would be enough to avoid a potential touchline ban.
“I kicked it for me and it went near the supporters. I said my apologies, I repeat my apologies again,” he told a news conference on Thursday.
“I kicked it because it is near me and not because of this intention.”
When asked if he expects to be punished retrospectively by the FA, Emery said: “I hope not. It’s not to do with the action but the circumstance. I hope the apology is the end to the matter.”
Emery has until 1800 GMT on Jan 2 to respond to the charge.