It is interesting that Unai Emery has W2 and L2 in his first four League games, because last season Arsene’s Wenger’s Arsenal side was exactly the same at this point; W2 L2. The goal difference under Emery this year is 8-8, while last season it was 7-8, so not much difference there either.
So it will be very interesting to see how the next six games pan out for Emery (which are all winnable) as Wenger only lost one of his following six matches last season. So are we yet seeing anyting different from when Le Prof was in charge? Paul Merson certainly doesn’t think so. “I would say no different at the moment,” Merson said.
“I’ve watched Arsenal and if you didn’t know, you would still think Arsene Wenger was the manager.
“I watch Arsenal play and it’s like watching a testimonial or a charity match.
“The game’s open, no one’s really tackling anybody, it’s like ‘you have a shot, we have a shot’.
“I thought the week before they did well to beat West Ham because I thought when it was 1-1 West Ham were going to be the team that nicked the game.
“So they’ve done well to win that game but there’s got to be a lot of improvement.
“But it will take time, it will take time. Managers don’t just come in and change it like that.
“This has been embedded in these players for a long time, they’ve been at the club a long time some of these players.”
I know pundits have to make some sort of comment as it is there livelihood, but it is probably a little unfair to judge a new coach after just four games, especially with new players and a new system, but there is one thing we can safely say in Emery’s defence. We are not any worse than we were under Wenger!
Darren N