Unai Emery Found It Surprising That Tottenham Sacked Pochettino

Unai Emery claimed to be surprised by Tottenham’s decision to sack Mauricio Pochettino.

Asked about Pochettino’s dismissal, Gunners boss Emery replied, “For me it was a surprise.

“I think it’s a surprise how that relationship with Pochettino is finishing. But I don’t know exactly why and I don’t know exactly how he is going to change their performance. (Mourinho) is a very good coach. Really, his career is very strong with the titles, with the experience. But I think also, Pochettino’s work in Tottenham was amazing.

“I think Tottenham was doing very good work with Pochettino. Really, maybe the last result, the last matches didn’t play or didn’t achieve the good results, but I think overall that their way in the last years with Pochettino was perfect. And now, they decided to change.

“I don’t know why exactly the real reason is for doing that, but they have their way and we have our way and then we are going to battle in our moments.

“We are going to look at how we are, them and us. At the moment we are with some difference in the table against them and we want to keep that distance for the next matches.”

Arsenal are due to face Southampton on Saturday. This will be their chance to end their 6-game winless run as Unai Emery acknowledge the position he is in.

“Really I am not taking my time to respond in myself for those issues,” he added. “I am with a focus on preparing the matches and it is very important how we can improve because we have a lot of work to do. That is really my only focus.

“I am optimistic and also I know we need to keep better performances with the team, individually and collectively. I know how we can achieve that.”