Arsenal urged by former player to have patience with Unai Emery
The Spaniard has been busy in the summer transfer window
Unai Emery was appointed as Arsenal’s new manager back in May after Arsene Wenger decided to leave the club after 22 years at the end of the season. He signed a three-year deal worth £15 million.
It has been a busy transfer for the Premier League giants, as the new boss has brought in new five players, reinforcing the particular areas which needed strengthening to compete for major silverware next season.
Lucas Torreira from Sampdoria, Matteo Guendouzi from Lorient, Bernd Leno from Bayer Leverkusen, Sokratis Papastathopoulos from Borussia Dortmund and Stephan Lichtsteiner from Juventus.
With the signing of Torreira and Guendouzi, former PSG boss is close to finalizing his midfield for the upcoming season. Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Mohamed Elneny and Granit Xhaka have already signed new long term contract extensions.
It is believed that he wants 2 more players before the transfer window closes, particularly a winger and left-back.
Former Arsenal striker John Hartson has urged the fans to have patience with Emery because he has the ability to add more players in the squad. But also has questioned the ambition being shown by those in north London in the transfer market while ruling out a title challenge.
He told the Daily Star: “Arsenal fans are going to have to be patient for a couple of seasons, not demanding such success because I believe they’re still way behind in the market for the best players in the world, I really do.
“I think I share a lot of opinions even with their own fans.
“But they’ve appointed Emery, he’s got a very impressive CV behind him in terms of the Europa League.
“I think they need to be a bit patient with him and I believe in time he’s got the capabilities if he’s given the funds to add to the group they’ve got.
“But they’re still a long way from signing the best players in the world, as when they come up, when the best players in the world become available, they’re never in for them. They’re never in for them.
“Why aren’t they in for Hazard? Why aren’t they in for Willian? Why aren’t they in for these big players that would probably cost £80m? I don’t think they’re prepared to go there.”
He added: “I still think they need to spend. I don’t think they’re anywhere near the quality of a Liverpool or a Man City.
“What are Arsenal playing for, are they playing for a top-four place and a cup run? They can’t win the league with this team.
“I just think you look at Chelsea who have got a few issues, you look at their top three players – are they going to be at the club?
“[Thibaut] Courtois, Hazard and Willian – all linked with big moves away. It’s huge for the new Chelsea manager to deal with before his team even kick a ball.
You’ve got Liverpool, look how strong they are with their front three.
“For me, Liverpool and Man City, Man Utd, they’re not going to be happy with finishing second, [Jose] Mourinho’s going to go again.
“So, I still think Arsenal are in a bit of a transition. I think it’s going to take a bit of time for Emery to put his stamp on the club.”
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