Forget the cliche about managers needing to know their best side in order to be a consistent force.
Arsenal boss Emery is adamant that the last thing he desires is to have a bunch of untouchables at his disposal at The Emirates. Unlike his predecessor Arsene Wenger, often content to stick with the tried and tested even amid a poor run, the ex-Paris Saint-Germain boss believes the more players in form – and in the frame to start – the better.
Which is why after two months at the helm, Emery loves the fact he has a puzzle to solve in terms of who to select going into every fixture. Ahead of today’s home clash with Everton, the Gunners chief revealed he still does not know his best side.
Emery said: “As we prepare for Sunday – and matchday – I have doubts about who to choose for the first eleven.
“And when I have this problem I am happy because it means many players are putting in good performances.
“I do not want to have or know a first eleven. I want 20 players who are performing.”
Emery has certainly been true his words in that respect. In his opening five Premier League games at the Arsenal helm, he has chopped and changed his starting line-up regularly.
Only once has he retained the same eleven – for the recent trips to Cardiff and Newcastle – when he surprised many by playing strikers Pierre-Emerik Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette together.
That frequent shuffling appears to be working, too. After losing their opening two league games, the Gunners have won their last three.