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Unai Emery has outlined \u201cseveral problems\u201d which cost him his Arsenal job after only 18 months.<\/p>\nUnai Emery has outlined \u201cseveral problems\u201d which cost him his Arsenal job after only 18 months.<\/p>\n
Emery was sacked as Arsenal manager at the end of November after the Gunners had gone seven games without a win.<\/p>\n
The 48-year-old Spaniard steered Arsenal to the final of the Europa League in his first season in charge.<\/p>\n
Arsenal also finished fifth in the Premier League, missing out on a top-four place by just one point.<\/p>\n
But he says he was undermined by off-field issues such as the Mesut Ozil-Sead Kolasinac car-jacking incident on a London street and Nicolas Pepe\u2019s struggle to adapt to English football following his club-record \u00a372million transfer from Lille.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am clear about my diagnosis and we did good things there,\u201d Emery said in an interview with Spanish publication Marca.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we had a good first year, leading two competitions well as Europa League and Premier League.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis second year, we have not played well, we have not defended well, we have not been competitive. I told the players myself.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere were several problems: four captains, the Ozil-Kolasinac case, Pepe\u2019s signing, who needs time since he came from France.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe didn\u2019t play well, that\u2019s for sure. We had bad results, there was no improvement, the fans focused on me and they threw me out.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith my departure, the hostile atmosphere was relaxed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Emery feels Arsenal have found the \u201cperfect\u201d manager in his successor Mikel Arteta, a former player who was Pep Guardiola\u2019s assistant at Manchester City.<\/p>\n
But he warned that getting the best out of German playmaker Ozil \u2013 reportedly the club\u2019s highest wage earner who he had omitted regularly this season \u2013 remains an issue at the Emirates Stadium.<\/p>\n
\u201cMikel has a lot of experience as a footballer and has worked alongside Pep,\u201d who is top,\u201d Emery said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt fits perfectly in the figure of Arsenal coach. He is playing a 4-2-3-1, like ours.<\/p>\n
\u201cOzil is still \u201910\u2019, and is slowly looking for his identity. He is a very good player, that is clear.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut physical conditions are high in the Premier League.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt times, Arsenal with him plays better. But other times it doesn\u2019t make so many differences.\u201d<\/p>\n
Emery has not ruled out returning to England in the future, saying: \u201cFootball is unpredictable.<\/p>\n
\u201cA team may love you today, three months go by \u2026 and it doesn\u2019t love you anymore.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo France, with the French I learned, I can return. To England, too. To Spain.<\/p>\n
\u201cGermany is the only place where I find it difficult to work. In Italy, years ago, teams have loved me.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou never know, but this break is good for me.\u201d<\/p>\n