Arsenal fans continue to speculate about what might have been if Unai Emery had been given more time as their manager.
The Spaniard was appointed to succeed Arsène Wenger after the Frenchman’s departure and guided the Gunners to the Europa League final in his first season. However, they lost that final to Chelsea, and his second season was cut short when he was sacked following a disappointing first half of the campaign.
At the time, Emery appeared to have lost the support of the Arsenal dressing room. However, he is now excelling as the manager of Aston Villa, where he has led the team to qualify for the Champions League this season. The Villans continue to improve, and they could become regular contenders in Europe’s top competition.
The debate among Arsenal fans is ongoing, with some believing that Emery could have built a stronger team if he had been given more time. However, journalist Charles Watts disagrees with this view.
He wrote in his exclusive column on Caught Offside:
“Emery is doing fantastic things at Aston Villa and I’m happy for him because he’s clearly an excellent manager and he was a pleasure to deal with when he was in charge at Arsenal.
“But no matter what he does at Villa and what they go on to achieve, it will not change the fact that Arsenal were absolutely correct to get rid of him when they did.
“It was the right decision. In fact, it was the only decision. He just had to go.”
Just Arsenal Opinion
Emery is a good coach, but he was not the right fit for us at the time and we need to move on now that we have Mikel Arteta.
Arteta is doing a fantastic job at the Emirates and he needs all our support instead of talking about Emery.
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Emery achieved miracles in the time that he was there. Europa final. 22-match unbeaten run. Prepared the team that won the FA Cup. All in the space of 18 months.
ArtetA has dismantled that Emery Cup-winning team and won nothing since. He’s had an extra 3 years and 6 months and won nothing. He’s spent almost 800million in the process, to win nothing. It seems like the journalist doesn’t want to address some very real concerns regarding this trophy drought. In addition to that, to give ArtetA a second renewed contract without considering whether his lack of experience in the job, is the thing that is preventing Arsenal from getting over the line.
@Ken Kenny
Real Talk. One thing Watts left out, was the reason he “felt” Emery had to go. Making his “opinion” equal to mine, worthless. Just sayin…
I still remain one of a few people that still defend the Emery and criticise the way he was treated by some of our players while many fans engged and encouraged it. Many fans on here couldn’t stop mocking / making fun of Emery.
But with all that said, this current team that Arteta has built has given many of us that sense of optimism, pride and hope for the newr future. Har turned us back to being a serious club from the shambles we were when he was appointed.
No more embarassing score lines such as 5-2, 4-0, 3-0 etc that we had become accustomed to.
We might not have won anything yet but I would not change where we are for the embarrassing times we had just before Arteta joined. 👍🤞🙏
Same old Kenny, always wants instant success.
Anyway, happy birthday for tomorrow.
Is it brutally insensitive to assert that MA hasn’t brought progress to Arsenal all in the name of not winning trophies. I wouldn’t trade him for Eric Ten Hag who has won 2 FA cup but delighted in finishing 8th. Kindly re-examined the way you measure success. Say you want to release Arteta today and I bet you that the Top of the top clubs will gun for him.
Some people have had an agenda against Arteta for a few years now. So they will continue to push it no matter what. Any opportunity they can get to push that agenda they will take it.
😊
It’s a very tired, old, and rather pointless debate now isn’t it. Emery went, Arteta arrived. We’re all stuck in the “what is” world, not a “what if” version so nobody knows.
Emery has done very well with not a lot at Villa and, hopefully, this will be the season when Arteta’s work finally pays off at Arsenal. Everyone’s happy.
I agree Bertie and it is worth recognising what UE has achieved at villa – quite remarkable.
Likewise, we should also remember how MA has turned our club round in the last two and a bit seasons.
Yes, he’s had the 100% backing of Mr Kronkie, suffered heavy defeats during those first three seasons, had the coronavirus situation to tend with and didn’t achieve the goals he himself set at the beginning.
I’m going to games now, experiencing great football, brilliant atmospheres and watching top players in action… and I’m sure villa fans are doing the same.
Let’s see if phase five brings us trophies and, meanwhile, enjoy the ride!! /
I can’t (and wouldn’t want to) argue with any of that.