Emery ponders unleashing Suarez

UNAI EMERY has urged Denis Suarez to be patient despite the Spaniard not starting a match since joining Arsenal in January. The Gunners have had five fixtures since the playmaker moved from Barcelona on loan last month but Suarez has played only 66 minutes in four substitute appearances. Emery believes the 25-year-old is still adapting but the Bournemouth match tonight is likely to be his one chance to shine before the big games come thick and fast, against Tottenham, Manchester United and Europa League opponents Rennes. Suarez must prove himself to Emery if Arsenal are to activate the £20million option to make his loan move permanent. Emery said: ‘Denis is improving every day and his quality can give us a lot. He cannot play 90 minutes, he needs rhythm. One possibility is he starts and knows that (he would come off). His adaptation needs time. My idea was to play Denis on Sunday off the bench but the injury to Stephan Lichtsteiner meant I could not give him minutes.’ Asked if he has made a decision about the permanent transfer of Suarez, Emery said: ‘For me, each match and each week can change a lot. We are doing a test in every match. Summer is very far away.’ Emery also admitted he would prefer to work with a sporting director despite former head of recruitment Sven Mislintat leaving the club under a cloud this month. Arsenal are believed to be considering Roma’s Monchi, who worked with Emery at Sevilla and enjoyed huge success. Emery added: ‘It’s one issue for work in the club. I’ve usually worked with a sporting director at (my) teams. ‘When I arrived I was with Mislintat and I worked well with him. The club is working for change.’