Arsenal: Unai Emery ‘accepts criticism’ after Leicester defeat
Gary Neville has reminded Arsenal fans what he told them over two years ago when they called for Arsene Wenger to be sacked - “Be careful what you wish for”.
Arsenal lost even more ground on the top four on Saturday as they were comprehensively beaten 2-0 at second-placed Leicester.
Many fans rejoiced at the manager’s departure after years of perceived underachievement at Emirates Stadium, but Neville was an advocate of the revolutionary tactician until the very end - and reminded the club's fanbase of that fact in his latest episode of the Gary Neville Podcast.
“The [Arsenal] fans are getting very impatient at this moment in time,” Neville said.
“I talk about not being surprised by the result and performance levels [in Liverpool vs Man City] - I don’t think anyone was surprised that Leicester went and won that game as they did.
“It doesn’t shock you, does it? It doesn’t surprise you what happens with Arsenal.
Arsenal fans reminded of Arsene Wenger instruction amid Unai Emery sack pressure (Image: Getty)
Arsene Wenger was given a big farewell in May 2018 (Image: Getty)
“They are what they are; they’re a frustration. Unai Emery’s being put under great pressure. I do know Unai Emery is a great coach.
“Post-Arsene Wenger was never going to be easy. Before [Wenger went] I said: ‘Before careful what you wish for, it’s never going to be easy.’
“People will say: ‘Arsene Wenger should have been let go a lot earlier.’
“But great coaches will come into Arsenal and find it difficult to change, culturally, what’s gone on and what’s happened. It’s difficult.
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Gary Neville backed Unai Emery to the end of his Arsenal tenure (Image: Getty)
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“I’ve seen that at Manchester United since Sir Alex Ferguson left. These two mens were institutions at their football clubs.
“They were more than just coaches; they were CEOs, they were the leaders of the clubs in every single way, everybody looked up to them.
“It is going to take time. There needs to be some patience shown at Arsenal, as there has been.”