UNAI BLAST GETS GUNNERS FIRING

UNAI EmEry revealed Arsenal’s improved second-half display against Sporting last night was the result of a few half-time home truths. The Gunners were pedestrian in the opening 45 minutes as they struggled to impose themselves on the game. But a much better showing after the break ensured that Arsenal secured what was, in the end, a deserved win to make it nine points out of nine in the Europa League. And Emery suggested that some choice words at half-time helped shake his team out of their first-half slumber. ‘The most important thing is we were in the dressing room at half-time and we spoke about not imposing ourselves in the first 45 minutes,’ said Emery. ‘But we said in the second half we have the opportunity to change the result and continue our way, thinking only to win this match and to improve. ‘We did that. This is very important for us because we want to finish first in this group and Sporting were level with us. I think it is a big positive thing.’ The victory moved Arsenal one step closer to the club’s all-time record of 14 wins on the spin — this defeat of Sporting their 11th consecutive victory. But Emery insists his only focus is Sunday’s match against Crystal Palace. He said: ‘There’s still three matches. I’m only thinking about three points at Palace but I know it’s very difficult to win there.’ meanwhile, Emery played down an incident in the dying moments where Sporting’s Sebastian Coates appeared to elbow Stephan Lichtsteiner.