Right now we are two thirds of the way through Unai Emery’s first season as Arsenal boss, and it has certainly been a rollercoaster ride with the 22-game unbeaten run, and then the collapse of our away form. Not to mention the three season-ending injuries and our ever -changing tactics, especially in defence.
But if we had to judge right now, would you say it had been impressive? According to the new Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri, everyone keeps saying that the Gunners are doing very well. This is what the Italian said after his side beat Malmo 3-0 to progress to the last 16 of the Europa League alongside Arsenal, and he was asked if he was close to being sacked. He replied: ‘I am not interested, to be honest.
‘I have to think of my work as a big picture issue, otherwise I’d do my work badly. So I continue along my path and nothing has changed, as far as I am concerned.
‘I keep hearing people praise Arsenal’s season, but they are not in the Cup Final, they have fewer points than us in the Premier League and reached the last 16 of the Europa League just like us.
‘I don’t understand why people act as if our season is so negative and Arsenal’s is impressive.
‘It’s true there have been many peaks and troughs, including some very deep troughs, but considering it’s my first season in a new league and environment, I think that’s acceptable. ‘I did take over a team that finished fifth with 70 points.’
To be honest I don’t think you could choose between the two manager’s success so far this season, except that Chelsea are going to be massacred my Man City in Sunday’s League Cup Final. Would you say that either of them had been “impressive”?
Darren N