Unai Emery proving Arsene Wenger's point after Arsenal legend questioned sacking
Unai Emery is showing exactly why Arsene Wenger believed Arsenal were too hasty to dispense with his services back in 2019.
Emery, 52, was chosen as the man to succeed Wenger after the Gunners legend stepped down in 2018 but lasted just 18 months at the Emirates before he was sacked. And although Arsenal haven't fared too badly since drafting in Mikel Arteta to replace the Spaniard, Emery's stock has surged significantly since succeeding Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa.
The Villa Park outfit saw a marked improvement in results once Emery was appointed last October and enjoyed a fine campaign. But Villa have reached new heights this season and are in title contention after beating both Arsenal and Manchester City this week.
Wenger admitted that he felt Arsenal acted too soon with their decision to sack Emery last year - and the transformative effect he has had on Aston Villa over the past year suggests Wenger may have had a point.
He previously told BEIN Sports: "They didn't give [Emery] enough time, but there is a lot to talk about. For example, is it right that a team who is not successful in the group stages can play in the Europa League.
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"For the last 10 years, the teams who are not successful in the Champions League go on to win the UEFA Cup. So, he has transformed a non-successful team into a successful one with Sevilla.
Join the debate! Where do you think Arsenal would be now if Emery had stayed? Let us know here.
Unai Emery has rebuilt his reputation in the Premier League with Aston Villa (Ryan Browne/REX/Shutterstock)"It was more to give an importance to the trophy than to the sporting integrity. I think Unai Emery is a great coach, he has shown it in Spain and he is constantly at the top level."
Arsenal were in the midst of a seven-match winless run when the axe fell on Emery. He regrouped at Villarreal, where he beat Arsenal en route to glory in the Europa League before the opportunity to restore his reputation in England presented itself.
It was one he couldn't turn down, and he's now reaping the rewards - even if he refuses to acknowledge that Aston Villa are now viewed by many as Premier League title contenders.
He told Sky Sports on Saturday night: "I will speak again when we are in game 30 to 32 and if we are in the same position as now then maybe I can speak about it. At the start we are not a contender, it is only game 16. We are in [the top four] and must try to keep it."
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