Arsenal may have won ten games on the bounce for the first time since 2007/08, but you won’t hear Unai Emery talking about anything but the improvements that need to be made and the challenges that lie ahead.
Having extended their Premier League winning run to seven games, the Gunners travel to Portugal tomorrow ahead of Thursday’s Europa League clash with Sporting Lisbon. In the blink of an eye, they’ll be back in London taking on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
The games really do come thick and fast at this time of year and our head coach is desperate that his team maintain their focus across all competitions. Talk of a title tilt is something he’s also eager to temper.
“I think we need to continue with calmness and treat each match as a big possibility to continue our way,” he said after the 3-1 win over Leicester.
“It was very important for us to beat Leicester because they’re not far behind us. Now we’ve created a lot of distance with the teams behind us.
“Now in front we are looking at teams like Liverpool, like Manchester City, like Chelsea, but it’s not important to think about the end. We need to think about the next match against Crystal Palace on Sunday and I also think the Europa League is very important on Thursday.”
At the top of Emery’s concerns, is the way his side seem to start games slowly. Not for the first time this season, an opponent made life very difficult for Arsenal in the first half before quick-fire goals swung momentum our way. On this occasion though, the Spaniard was grateful for the positive vibes of the fans, who he credited with pushing his side on.
“When we were winning, controlling the game and finding chances to score, I think that’s the moment when our supporters pushed us forward and helped us,” he reflected.
“The atmosphere today was very big. The first 30 minutes was a difficult period and we needed to be together for our style and progressing in the match. We deserved to win today for everything in the 90 minutes.”
Emery is doing great with this team, a certain level of belief has returned…..
…. and a really impressive work ethic has begun to pay dividends. We might not be as solid as we would like to be at the back, but we seem to be earning the right to play our football. We have stopped trying to play like a big team, and instead we are putting in the work to allow our talent to provide the difference. Emery was right when he said the last thing we would criticize his team for, is a lack of effort. What I didn’t know was how much more hard work, the other top teams have… Read more »
Agree. The fans were amazing last night! I don’t remember the last time I heard home fans make so much noise at the Emirates
I’d agree, but only after the first goal went in. The first 59 minutes or so were the same quiet and bored crowd that I’ve come too used to over the years.
I think that might be the point Unai’s making re: “when we were winning… that’s when the supports pushed us forward”. He clearly holds a lot of stock on the power of the fans to help the team. I honestly don’t think we do enough at home to come close to claiming to be the ‘12th man’ or whatever, especially when the team’s behind.
Our first goal came in the 45th minute..
Was getting louder just before that.
Good point. I meant second, but that aside I stand by what I said. The volume was a fairly low hum (except for the away end, which quietened down significantly after the second goal) up until Aubas first.
Ah, fair enough. Wasnt the vibe where I was.
However I do agree we’re not there yet for atmos, hopefully will improve week on week this season.
Also respect to the 376 people who decided to go to Boreham Wood to watch the U23’s instead. Drew 0-0 with Everton.
Did any of you by any chance watch the highlight of yesterday’s game at work today? Yeah, I did, repeatedly. ,?
Yep . But not just me. I also made sure that every half-decent and above football fan in my department watched it too 😀
Yea. I just clicked on Arseblog’s link for the third goal and let it run.
I smiled everytime Auba tapped it in.
It was simply exhilarating and sublime.
Emery is building something worth waiting for at the Emirates.
I fully expect us to ruffle a few feathers by next season.
I recorded the clips on my whatsapp status, so everyone i know can watch with me
A packed stadium and a great team performance( bar needing to wake up in 1st 30 mins!).Wonderful to be in a big noisy crowd and feel the positivity at the club.
Long may this continue and even better the result pushed the Spuds down to 5th ?
yes, lets see how we get on against Liverpool spurs and man utd, that will be a good test for us, as of yet we have only played two teams of any note man city and Chelsea ( of which we both lost ) so the next few games will be interesting
Love that Unai mentioned the teams far behind, and the top 3, not even mentioning a certain team with a cock for badge.