5 things we learned from Unai Emery’s first game in charge of Arsenal

#5 He needs a lot of time to make this team his own

Emery still has a lot of work to do to make this team his own

There have been a lot of changes at the club since Emery joined earlier this summer, but it is still very much Arsene Wenger’s team and players who were used to the Frenchman’s tactics. Many believe that at times, the players were far too comfortable under Wenger, and they knew that even if their performance levels dropped, they wouldn’t be left out of the team. Emery’s job is to try and change that mindset.

He will also want to bring in players to suit his philosophy, but given the transfer budget that he was given in the summer, this will take time. He does have some quality players at his disposal, but he needs them to adapt to his style, and this won’t be easy.

As we saw at Manchester United when Sir Alex Ferguson left, it is very difficult to come in and replace someone who built the club in their image for so long. Emery needs an awful lot of time to make this side his own. Not just until the end of this season, but two or three years.