I wrote after the NLD we probably saw a performance that confirms that Unai Emery cannot take Arsenal to that next level (I’m talking about being title contenders not squeezing into the top 4). The fact that he repeated the same mistakes he made against Spurs and again at Old Trafford confirms what I have always felt, the man is not positive enough to fit our ethos. That doesn’t mean I will disrespect him or claim he’s not good at certain things, sometimes in life a man simply doesn’t suit a job.
Freddie Ljungberg was sat next to him in Manchester and must have thought that this was not how we approached these types of fixtures when he was playing. Don’t get me wrong, our record in this fixture has never been great and I’m certainly not going to cry over a 1-1 draw. Yet the feeling was this was the worse United side in the Prem era, there for the taking, certainly nothing for us to fear.
Yet he again chose 3 DM’s even though it didn’t work when we played Spurs. In fact, he should have seen enough by now to learn that we have been at our best when forced to attack. Worse, at 1-1, apart from a 5-minute reaction to our equaliser it seemed our attitude was to accept the point. His subs seemed to have suggested that.
The home side, a poor one, were the ones trying to win it. I have written articles on the importance of bringing through youngsters who can give us some identity, but the Spaniard is risking his job on some of his decisions now.
Some will cheer the fact that Ozil is being frozen out. It is clear if the club had their way he would have gone in the summer and they will try to force him out again in January. The thing is, unless we are told the German has some sort of attitude problem, we have to believe that our coach think’s he has better options in our squad. Yet he’s playing Torreria further forward, he’s bringing on Nelson for Pepe? Does he genuinely think these guys can play a through ball or pick a pass better than a man who has the most assists since arriving in England? If he thinks that, that’s a sackable offence.
If it’s to help the Kroenke’s further reduce the wage bill, he’s just a yes man.
The fact is you can’t leave Ozil at home, then produce a display with barely any creativity.
Like I said, no need to be mean spirited. But I have seen enough now to tell me this man (like at PSG) does not like flair players and is too cautious. He simply does not fit into our DNA.
Dan