Arsenal picked up their second away win of the season when they beat Newcastle United 2-1 on Saturday at St. James’ Park.
In what was a cliched ‘game of two halves,’ Arsenal dominated the second period after struggling to get going in the first.
Was that to do with the introduction of Lucas Torreira? In part, but in the first half Rafa Benitez’s men knew exactly where Arsenal wanted to pass the ball and in the second they hadn’t a clue. It’s another tactical change Emery deserves praise for.
“I want to give every player confidence,” Emery said after the match.
“I am very happy with Matteo and also very happy with Lucas. But maybe in the second half, we needed a little more balance on the pitch with the positioning. Lucas gives us this balance.”
He was also asked to speak about Mesut Ozil, who scored on his 200th Arsenal appearance, that also happened to be his first ever at Newcastle.
“For me, every player is the same – I want to give them the confidence and push them,” he said.
“Today I’m happy because I want every player to have chances to score. Today Mesut scored and I think that’s important. He continued his process on the team, helping with his quality and working every day to continue with the performances we want the team and him to have.
“It’s a new way for him and we want his performance in each training day and each match to give his qualities to us. I want also his best performances for us and today I think that first, he worked well and then also I think he did a good match.”