Arsenal's Unai Emery – Playing out from back 'best way'

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Arsenal boss Unai Emery isn’t about to change his philosophy after one bad result and insists his style of playing out from the back is “the best way” to deliver success at the club.

The new Gunners head coach has faced some criticism following Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Manchester City — including from Sam Allardyce and club legend Tony Adams, who questioned his tactics in wake of the defeat.

After taking over from Arsene Wenger, Emery has emphasised the importance of using the goalkeeper to help play the ball out from the back, and it was clear that his players are still getting used to the new system.

But the Spaniard is set on continuing with that same plan and is confident his players will eventually master it.

“We didn’t lose because of our personality, our idea, our style. We didn’t lose for that,” Emery said. “We lost on other things, we can improve on other things, tactics, improve for our learning in the next match. But also, we are building our style because we think it’s the best way, to have the control on each match, to find the best way to win.”

The new style puts added pressure on the goalkeeper, with Petr Cech struggling at times to put the ball in play against Man City — and nearly scoring an embarrassing own goal in the first half. However, Emery has backed Cech to keep his starting role against Chelsea on Saturday, and said being part of the passing game is something modern goalkeepers must get used to.

Arsenal coach Unai Emery might have to watch his spending during the next transfer window. Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal via Getty Images

“It is one evolution in football, but football is every year changing. Goalkeepers can play like a player, to start short with the centre-back or the right or left-back,” Emery said. “It is not compulsory to start each action with [a short pass]. Maybe if the opposition is doing high pressing against us, then we need also to find another option and to play the ball long in the second action.

“We are training for each situation. I want in each moment to know what is our best action to do in the match. This is our creative style and idea. We need — with security, with confidence — to build in each match and training session. We are in this process.”

The Spaniard also insisted he hasn’t paid any attention to the negative criticism his team received after the City loss.

“I am looking at positivity inside [the club]. We can’t always transmit positive things outside,” he said. “When you win, when you lose, it must be consistent, you must stay regulated, keep thinking positively every day. You need to take the positive things out of the game to build our identity.”

The loss to Man City puts added pressure on Arsenal to deliver a result at Stamford Bridge, where they haven’t won in the league since 2011.

And while Emery will stick to his overall philosophy, he could make some tactical adjustments compared to the City game.

“We are working in preseason to build our ideal and I don’t want to change that. But it’s clear that each match is different. I think 70 percent of our personality is thinking for us, and 30 percent for the opposition.”

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