Alan Smith believes that Frank Lampard is piling pressure on Unai Emery
Unai Emery is under even more pressure as the manager of Arsenal this season because of the success of Frank Lampard across town, according to Arsenal legend, Alan Smith.
Emery has been at the Arsenal job for almost 18 months. Yet there is a wider view that Arsenal hasn’t changed much since he came on board.
Some statistics show that he has started his reign poorer than the end of Arsene Wenger’s reign.
Lampard only debuted as a manager last season when he almost took Derby to promotion to the Premier League. He has been loyal to the same attacking principles that brought success at Derby and his players have thrived.
The Blues have won all their last five competitive matches so far while Emery’s side struggles on the road.
The Gunners were hopeful of qualifying for the Champions League at the end of this season and the struggles of Tottenham and Manchester United should have made it easier for them, but they have also struggled so far.
According to Smith: ‘They are going to have to sort themselves out and get some results because the opening is there. Chelsea under Frank Lampard have sorted themselves out, he’s getting his ideas across. ‘I know it’s a different situation but you’ve got a new manager there who has adopted a style of play he likes. But you just can’t see that with Emery’.
Chelsea has had to deal with a transfer ban that stopped them from signing players this season. That ban seems to have been a blessing in disguise forcing Lampard to use his impressive academy.
Arsenal, on the other hand, spent a significant amount of money bringing in the likes of Nicolas Pepe. It seems only a matter of time for Emery to get it right or he could be fired sooner rather than later.