One of the many changes that Unai Emery had introduced at Arsenal right upon his arrival was the sheer intensity of training the players would have to go through.
It was never going to be an easy task taking over from Arsene Wenger especially after 22 years. We all saw what happened at Manchester United right after Alex Ferguson’s departure.
While the Gunners have remained competitive in the top four race this season, they have been encountering defeats every now and then to really concern the fans.
Emery came into the North London outfit and introduced a strict regimen of holding two training sessions ahead of a game at the Emirates stadium. The Spaniard’s idea was to make the players feel more at ease in the home setting.
However, after just two games against Manchester City and West Ham United towards the beginning of the 2018/19 campaign, the former Sevilla boss decided to scrap the idea altogether.
Speaking to reporters regarding his change of technique, Emery said, “It’s the balance. We trained there [at the Emirates] two times before the match. I like to do that. But the balance and logistics is important. And I think now the balance is more positive to do them here [at London Colney].”
It has been reported that those exact training sessions were the cause of a fallout between Emery and Mesut Ozil, who continues to be a simple bench warmer for the club.
When asked about the possible incident, the Arsenal boss replied, “I speak every day with different players,” he said. “With Mesut. With Jenkinson. With Cech. With Dejan [Iliev]. With Sokratis. With Suarez.”
“My conversation with them is private. It’s normal, the conversation with them. Sometimes I need to push them. Sometimes I need to help them, telling them positive things. And in the other moment, I need to tell the players real things.”
“But all the conversations are very positive. For me. And I think also for the players.”
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