Gunners getting used to new style
MKHITARYAN: COACH NEEDS TIME TO GET THINGS RIGHT
Emery ‘will find that right balance between attack and defence’.
Arsenal are still adjusting to their new style of playing out from the back and new manager Unai Emery must be given more time to implement his philosophy, the Premier League club’s midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan has said.
The North London club’s campaign began with a 2-0 defeat by champions Manchester City before they went down 3-2 at Chelsea last weekend. Fans and critics have questioned Emery’s tactics in both matches and called for more solid defending.
“Everyone has their own opinion. We know very well what we are playing for and how we have to play. If we are just going to kick the ball up front and wait for God to give us a chance to score, it’s not necessary,” Mkhitaryan told Sky Sports.
“The only thing we have to do is to work hard, believe in ourselves and use the chances we create to score goals ... we’re creating chances. Maybe we’re not as good to score at the moment but I think it’s just the first few games.”
Mkhitaryan backed Spaniard Emery, who replaced the long-serving Arsene Wenger this season, to find a balance between attack and defence.
“Emery (has) kept the philosophy of Wenger but is building something new on it. It’s not easy, but I think he’s doing it in the right way,” the Armenia international added.
“He wants to play football and dominate the game and that’s what we are doing ... the important thing is to stay positive, believe in ourselves and to keep working the same way and the result will come.”
Meanwhile, West Ham United midfielder Jack Wilshere is determined to show the Gunners what they missed out on when he visits his former club for the first time in the Premier League on Saturday.
Wilshere left Arsenal at the end of last season following the expiry of his contract, ending a 17year stay at the North London side since joining the club’s academy at the age of nine.
“It’s down to me to prove a point to Arsenal that they were wrong to get rid of me,” the 26-year-old Wilshere told West Ham’s matchday programme.
Wilshere struggled with injuries and loss of form at Arsenal and spent their 2016/17 campaign on loan at Bournemouth.
He forced his way back into the team last season, but was allowed to leave after Unai Emery replaced Arsene Wenger as manager. – Reuters