Unai Emery says he has no problem with players being disgruntled when they are substituted, describing such reactions as ‘normal’.
Since joining Arsenal, the Spaniard has already proved he’s not afraid to make tactical changes as early as half time, he did so today swapping Matteo Guendouzi for Lucas Torreira, or to remove his most high-profile players.
After the Gunners 2-1 win over Newcastle at St James’ Park, Emery played down how miffed Piere-Emerick Aubameyang looked when he was subbed with 21 minutes remaining.
“It’s normal,” he said. “I want the players when I change the team or when I decide them not to start them in the first XI to be angry and have ambition to play and help the team and stay on the pitch. For me it’s a normal situation.”
Aaron Ramsey followed Aubameyang to the bench not long after. In this instance though, it was at the request of the player who claimed to be fatigued.
The Welshman, who played twice for Wales during the Interlull was replaced by Danny Welbeck with 10 minutes remaining. Emery played down suggestions the midfielder had a serious injury problem.
“It’s also normal,” said Emery. “He played with the national team two matches and then he played 80 minutes with us, so he asked us to change him. It’s not a big problem but he was tired. I think it is no problem.”
Would be strange if they were happy when they were subbed.
As long as they don’t sit there spitting dummies and carrying on like Alexis, it’s all good.
Nothing to see here
Gibbs was always happy to be subbed, never unhappy with that, I mean.
This is clever on Emery’s part. If a player looks totally pissed off as he marches off it is branded a natural reaction and a sign of his ambition. Not a challenge to Emery’s authority.
i wouldnt mind if my boss asked me to knock off early.
What if ur job was to come in at 2pm review the new FIfa game for 2 hours and then leave at 4pm. But, this time, he asked you to quit reviewing the Arsenal vs Man Utd game while you were losing 2-1 at 60min, and ur were in the middle of some slick passing triangles at their end of the pitch and you knew deep down that ur equalizer was coming right around the corner. And your boss told you to stop the game and go home early at 3pm
(I am an evil man…)
Great! knock off early and head home to get in some needed PES time lol.
Ramsey definitely looked off the pace today, especially after half. It probably played a big role in his sharpness and turnovers, which were high even by his standards.
Judging by how I read his body language, Auba seemed a bit disappointed in his own performance just as much as anything else.
My thought and conclusion on that observation as well.
Emery has created a real good feeling around the team. Players will be mad in the moment and hopefully determined to offer more next time.
There was a time when our manager would go to war with a national team coach for sending a player back exhausted. Considering Ramsey’s engine, that’s no easy feat. Emery seems pretty chilled about it all.
Still trying to figure out Ramsey’s best role in the team. Mkhi on the bench while playing Ozil out wide, seems like Emery doing too much to make Ramsey happy. Ozil is better at 10, Mkhi and Iwobi are better out wide, Torreira is better alongside Xhaka. A role needs to be found for Ramsey, or other players will soon start asking questions of the coach.
Even Ramsey doesn’t know that I think. Theo held us hostage thinking he was a striker, it took him one proper season to realise he was nowhere close to one. Similarly Ramsey thinks he is a number 10. But he just doesn’t have the skillset. He will figure it out.
Why do you assume Emery wants to make Ramsey happy? Why don’t fans trust all his decisions are with the team’s interest in mind? He is not that stupid.
Because of the players and roles I stated above, and Aaron is still playing at their expense. Mkhi deserves to be on that right wing instead of Mesut, not because Mesut is a bad player, but Mkhi is better on that side and he makes Bellerin better. Mesut is the most natural and best no 10 in the team, his stats and having PEA and Laca upfront, this will be the first time Ozil has strikers of that quality ahead of him since joining Arsenal. If he had all these stats with without a 20 goal a season striker ahead… Read more »
I think Emery sees Ramsey’s engine as more integral to the high press, that’s all.
I got the point you’re making, but it might as be that he’s trying to help motivate and give him more reason to sign on the doted line…
Emery is doing the right thing, which is putting his captains out there all together to lead the team into this new era. Ramsey and Ozil have been crucial to that purpose. It may look unbalanced to us but it sends a message throughout the squad regarding their commitment to the new system. Ozil, Ramsey, Cech, and Xhaka are leading by example. Emery knows that rotation and tinkering will be necessary soon, so getting through these five matches with his leaders has been crucial to the rest of the season. Seeing the players’ reactions as they celebrate a goal (which… Read more »
Ramsey does not play, and I don’t think is every supposed to play, as a “no. 10.” He is a classic box-to-box midfielder, with the engine to constantly track back to defend, to intercept and tackle– and also to burst into the attacking 18. Every Arsenal fan remembers a very good example of this type of player–Vieira (no, Ramsey is not as good).
Fingers crossed (hopefully you are right), but Devlin has made a thought provoking and good point.
They want him to sign a new deal. He won’t sign if he doesn’t play.
My thought too
what makes me and everyone happy is a positive change…..
No better feeling than winning consistently
never mind being subbed, he should be dropped, its a lot harder scoring in England, than it is in germany
Troll.
Aubameyang was average. I don’t know why he has issues beating his man at the moment. All those voices proclaiming him ‘world class’ and the “next Henry”. He has pace but why can’t he get pass the defenders on a one to one? Perhaps its an issue of confidence but frankly I feel Auba operates best up top. That said Laca has improved his hold up an distribution game and is the better of the two at the moment on apex. Welbeck is also better suited for the role so its difficult. Auba seems to be struggling at the moment… Read more »
Or perhaps those voices are the same ones that proclaimed that Xhaka was a defensive midfielder because of his disciplinary record. PEA is unable to beat a man because he has never been good at doing that. He is a poacher with a lot of pace. More, 30 goal Walcott, than Thierry. Let’s stop expecting people to do things that they have never done. Mustafi will never be a Tony Adams, Mesut will never be a Bergkamp, Xhaka is definitely not a Gilberto or Viera, Torreira is not like Kante. Let’s give our players a platform to establish thier own… Read more »