Arsenal began a Premier League season for the first time in over two decades without Arsene Wenger, but it was a lost start for new boss Unai Emery.
Manchester City came to the Emirates on Sunday and eased to a 2-0 win, to get the Gunners’ Spanish coach off to a losing start. Emery has been tasked with leading the club into a new era but despite a number of new faces in his starting XI at the weekend, it looked very much like the same old Arsenal.
It’s going to take time, but the games are already coming thick and fast, with a London derby against Chelsea coming up on Saturday. However, Arsenal have been hit with a serious injury blow on Thursday morning.The new boss was briefing the Media on Thursday and this is what he had to say…
Who will play leftback?
Ainsley Maitland-Niles is out.
But Nacho Monreal is back.
He looks likely to start.
“Lichtsteiner can play at left back but his position in the team is more at right back.
“This week Nacho Monreal is working every day, training every day with us.
“The two options we have now are Nacho Monreal and Lichtsteiner to continue in this position.
On renewing acquaintances with Chelsea
Emery and Arsenal faced off against Sarri’s Blues a couple of weeks ago in pre-season.
Now, the Blues have a number of their big men back.
So how much will change?
“We played two or three weeks ago against Chelsea, but with different players on the pitch, to Saturday – Hazard, Kante, Giroud, Kovacic.
“The personality we want to play with will be the same in this match. It will be different because both teams could have different players on the pitch, but it’s a good reference match to work with ahead of this Saturday against Chelsea.
“The first game gives us more information about things to improve and also things to continue doing. It’s clear that the result was the first [objective] we wanted. But it was Manchester City’s day.
“We need to continue with our work to make the differences in the next match and in the future. For me, what was most important was the players know the positive things we did in this game and also the things we need to improve on and work more for.”
Cech or Leno?
Petr Cech will KEEP his first team place.
UNAI EMERY has backed Petr Cech and insisted the veteran keeper will retain his place at Chelsea on Saturday.
Arsenal keeper Cech, 36, came in for criticism after the opening weekend defeat to Manchester City, particularly after he was under orders to play out from the back.
But Gunners boss Emery made it clear he was happy with Cech and suggested he would start ahead of new summer signing Bernd Leno.
Emery said:
“I am very happy with his performance. He has experience, he has quality, he has the capacity. Also, with Bernd Leno [it’s the same].
“They are two goalkeepers who are important for us.
“They have different qualities but for us in the way we want to play, they can [both] play.
“For Saturday, the decision for me is easy. Petr Cech can continue to start the match, I believe in him. [But] If Bernd starts, I believe in him also.”
Arsenal take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge from 1930hrs East African time on Saturday.