Unai Emery slams Arsenal fans and rates Mikel Arteta's start as manager

Unai Emery has accused Arsenal fans of ‘throwing him out’ of the club and says his successor Mikel Arteta is benefiting from an improved atmosphere at the Emirates.

Spanish manager Emery arrived at Arsenal in the summer of 2018 but failed to secure a top-four finish in his first season at the club.

The Gunners also struggled under Emery at the start of the 2019-20 campaign and had endured their longest run without a victory since 1992 before his sacking in December.

But Emery believes Arsenal showed signs of progress under his regime and feels the fans were largely responsible for his exit.

‘I am clear about my diagnosis and we did good things there,’ Emery told Marca. ‘I think we had a good first year, taking two competitions well as Europa League and Premier League.

‘The process was good. When we played possession, we did it; when we had to press, we did it. And we were competitive, playing as the game required.

‘With moments of possession game and moments of three quick touches. This second year, we have not played well.

‘We have not defended well, have not been competitive, did not transmit. And I told the players this myself.

‘There were several problems: four captains; the Ozil-Kolasinac case; Pepe’s signing, who needs time since he came from France. We didn’t play well, that’s for sure.

‘That brought us bad results, there was no improvement, the fans focused on me and they threw me out. But I keep focusing on the the positive things, there were many.’

On Arteta, Emery added: ‘Mikel has a lot of experience as a footballer and has worked alongside Pep [Guardiola], who is a top coach.

‘He is playing a 4-2-3-1 like ours. Ozil is No 10, and is slowly looking for his identity. But with my departure, the hostile atmosphere was relaxed.

‘The results are not being the best but you have to give it time to do so.’