Emery’s bold style is making Arsenal tick
By accident and design, Unai Emery is making changes that will benefit Arsenal in both the short and long term, and Saturday’s somewhat fortuitous victory over Watford was a perfect example.
Arsenal were second best for much of the game, conceding some clear-cut chances to Watford while squandering the few that came their way. The visitors were bright, adventurous, and on top.
But an enforced change in goal on the stroke of half-time, and then a bold decision to replace the unhappy Aaron Ramsey with a firedup Alex Iwobi after an hour turned the game in Arsenal’s favour.
Bernd Leno made his Premier League debut when Petr Cech pulled a hamstring before half-time and the German goalkeeper, signed from Bayer Leverkusen for £22.5m, made two important saves to keep Arsenal in the game. And Iwobi gave the hosts the verve and energy to score twice in two minutes to rack up their fifth successive league win and move into the top five.
It was not the first time this season Arsenal have taken all three points despite being less than convincing, and neither is it the first time that Emery’s changes have made a significant impact.
Arsenal have scored twice in the second half of each those five wins, with four goals in the final 10 minutes, and it suggests they are fitter, mentally and physically, and that Emery is making more gamechanging substitutions than previous manager Arsene Wenger.
The Spaniard admits his side are a work in progress, and is looking for improvements with each game. “We have 15 points and in fifth so we are in a good way, which gives us confidence,” he said. “It is not easy, but each match is giving us information about how to improve. We lost our first two matches, so it was not an easy start, but the players have worked hard.”
It was never a simple job to replace Wenger. Emery has had to change a culture of underachievement as well as produce entertaining and successful football. He is clearly not afraid to make big calls, as he showed when Ramsey was hooked after 62 minutes.
Ramsey is in the final year of his current contract, talks have stalled and with Liverpool interested in him, the player could follow Alexis Sanchez out of the club. Yet Iwobi was far more effective, crossing for Craig Cathcart to put through his own net in the 81st minute and then starting the move from which Mesut Ozil scored his first goal at the Emirates for nine months.
The Nigerian admitted he has improved under Emery. “I’ve lost a bit of weight because of the intense training and I think it’s made me a bit sharper,” he said. “I’m more positive and confident with the ball, and the main thing the boss has stressed to me is to get into positions to score.”
Emery’s man management has also paid off with Leno, who had previously played only in the Europa League and Carabao Cup. He made an immediate impact with a terrific save to deny Troy Deeney soon after half-time and then dived bravely at Andre Gray’s feet.
Cech could be out for three weeks at least, giving the German international a chance to secure No1 status. “Now Petr is injured I have the opportunity to play more games and show the coach my quality,” he said. “It is my big chance.”
Emery’s former team-mate Javi Gracia was left frustrated, as his side played well enough for at least a point.
Having won their opening four games, Watford have now lost three and drawn one of the past four, yet are playing as well as ever.
“I feel very upset for my players because we deserved more,” he said. “I just want to focus on the next game, enjoy the way we are playing and at the end of the season we will see what happens.”