The Arsene Wenger era at Arsenal was all about the style of play, often at the expense of tactical flexibility. Unai Emery has been the exact opposite.
4. Substance over style
It was not a defensive performance that will make fans cry out for this to be the new back line. But it put the players that were available into a position in which they could succeed, handing Arsenal a critical three points in a top four race that they are not out of yet.
That is the hallmark of a good manager.
These effective managerial decisions made many fans feel like Emery ONLY adapts to the opponent and doesn’t have his own style. But is that really true? His hand at Huddersfield was forced into that lineup and tactical plan due to injury and form.
Emery’s ability to get results in the face of squad depletion due to injury, being forced to use out of form and out of position players shows a tactical flexibility that is more than welcome at Arsenal.
With a little bit of board backing in the transfer window, this manager could return Arsenal to the heights where they belong.
Statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com
