Arsenal manager Unai Emery took the reigns of the north London side in May, replacing Arsene Wenger, who had been in charge for 22 years.
The Spaniard said the club had lost its way somewhat in regards to the balance between attacking and defending. Emery believes he had to make some real changes right away, and he believes that he has already brought substantial change.
“Before Wenger arrived, Arsenal celebrated the 1-0 wins and were based on defensive solidity,” he said.
“With Arsene, they became an attacking team, with players who were good on the ball, and the perfect combination came with The Invincibles (the unbeaten 2003-04 Premier League championship team), but with time, you can only take care of technique and attacking freedom, losing your defensive structure. What I want to do is unite the two and become more competitive.”
“Arsenal were falling. We had to stop that and start to lift them. These days, it’s very difficult for a coach to last 22 years.”
“The chairs had to be moved in all sectors of the club. Not because of previous negligence, but to motivate everyone again — to shake it up, to sweep things under the carpet, to open the windows, all positive things.”
On Sunday, Emery leads his side into battle at AFC Bournemouth, a club that is just below them in the table. Let’s take a look at who he may select for his first team to take to the pitch.
The Bank Arsenal FC Starting XI Prediction (4-3-3) vs AFC Bournemouth
Attacking Players: Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Central Midfielders: Granit Xhaka, Lucas Torreira, Mesut Ozil
Defenders: Hector Bellerin, Sokraitis, Shkodran Mustafi, Nacho Monreal
Goalkeeper: Bernd Leno
Arsenal FC vs AFC Bournemouth FYIs
Kickoff: 2:30 pm local, Vitality Stadium, Sunday Nov 25
Odds via Oddschecker: AFC Bournemouth 27/10, Draw 31/10, Arsenal 21/20
Manager Press Conference Videos and Quotes: coming tomorrow
Update on the injury/fitness situation in attack: go to this link
Score Prediction: Arsenal 2, Bournemouth 1
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Lineups.com and Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.