Unai Emery has only been at Arsenal for a couple of months, but he seems to spend a lot of time denying the usual lies that come out in the English media. The first big one of course was the fact that Mesut Ozil faked an illness because Emery told him to play out of position and refused to play in the next game. Emery has already denied this. And then last week it was “leaked” that Emery had told his groundsmen not to water the pitch for the first game against Man City, to make it tougher for the EPL Champions.
He felt the need to deny these lies once again this morning. Obviouly now that Mesut Ozil has retired from the Germany international side, he has spent the interlull with the Arsenal squad for a change, and so Emery was yet again asked if there were any problems with our highest paid star player. “[We get on] very well.” Emery said. “Here for me it isn’t for a lot of the time speaking about what people are telling us. I have a very good relationship with Mesut and professionally I push him for improvements to give us the best in his qualities and performances.
“Also I read this week in the newspapers in the match against Manchester City I say to the [groundsman], ‘Don’t put water on the pitch’ – it’s not true! This is the moment to say to you that I have a good relationship with Mesut and I didn’t say it to the groundsman not to water on the pitch, it’s not true. We are continuing our process with our positive things and our work.”
I think he is just going to have to get used to it. I think Wenger just completely ignored the media reports and only responded (denied) things that were brought up in press conferences. It is obvious that Emery seems surprised at the false reports and feels the need to respond. I think he will find in the end that it’s just not worth it. The media will continue to post false stories about Arsenal no matter what he says!
Darren N