LONDON • Arsenal manager Unai Emery has praised the work of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in his short time at Manchester United, admitting the Red Devils are now a "very dangerous" opponent for any team.
Since taking over from Jose Mourinho, Solskjaer has overseen seven successive wins in all competitions, and his attacking approach has won over a dressing room that grew tired of his sacked predecessor's spiky personality and dour tactics.
The Gunners will host United in the fourth round of the FA Cup today and Emery is expecting "a very big test" after being impressed by their turnaround.
He told reporters: "It's a different team. It's the same players but they're playing with a big performance now. I watched their last matches and each player has a lot of confidence."
His preparations included a team-building paintball trip earlier in the week, but it has been a difficult few days for the club, both on and off the pitch.
It was announced on Monday that head of recruitment Sven Mislintat will leave next month, having been in the job for only a year.
A day later, defender Hector Bellerin learnt he could miss up to nine months after suffering ruptured knee ligaments in the 2-0 win over Chelsea last Saturday.
Emery revealed the team were sad that a third Gunner had been ruled out for the season before claiming that non-playing appointments were "not my issue".
He added: "This year is very difficult for big injuries like Hector, Rob Holding and (Danny) Welbeck. But football is like that.
BIG TRANSFORMATION
It's a different team. It's the same players but they're playing with a big performance now. I watched their last matches and each player has a lot of confidence.
UNAI EMERY, Arsenal manager, on how Manchester United have changed under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
BIG CLASH
That's the one fierce rivalry of my years. They won the double, we won the treble. The games were just fantastic.
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER, Manchester United interim manager, reminiscing about the tough Arsenal games he experienced as a player.
"We need to treat these injuries like a normality in football, but we are very sad."
Asked if it was important to find a swift replacement for Mislintat, he said: "Maybe if you do this recruitment very quickly, you can make a mistake. It's better to do without that, being calm and also finding the best possible person to do this job like we want."
However, he gave a glowing endorsement of Monchi, the Roma director of football who has been linked to the vacant post.
The pair worked together at Spanish club Sevilla and Emery hinted he was eager to renew the "good relationship" with his fellow Spaniard who was "a good person and a good professional".
But he knows better than to let these matters distract him against a man eager to get one over United's "closest rivals" in his playing days.
Solskjaer, reminiscing about the period when Arsenal were United's main competitors from 1997-2005, said: "That's the one fierce rivalry of my years. They won the double, we won the treble. The games were just fantastic."
Although United will rotate their side for the Cup game, the players that are standing in still "have the quality to play". He added: "We have a very good and talented squad. There will be one or two changes definitely."
One player who is eager to play is Alexis Sanchez, who is returning to London for the first time since his bitter exit last January. The Chile forward is expected to get a frosty reception but Solskjaer is unperturbed by the likely boos.
Said the Norwegian: "I think he'll love it if the crowd turn against him. As a player, pride kicks in and you think, 'I'll show all of you.'
"He's been fantastic in training, his attitude has been spot on so, hopefully, he'll enjoy the game."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
Unai Emery insists Mesut Ozil still has a future at Arsenal despite leaving the midfielder out of the Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat to Tottenham. Ozil watched from the stands as Arsenal lost 2
Mesut Ozil: Arsenal manager Unai Emery says midfielder has a
* Everton at Spurs next, Burnley host Arsenal EVERTON 2 BURNLEY 0 May 3 (Reuters) - Everton bolstered their chances of qualifying for next season's Europa League with a 2-0 win over Burnley in the
Everton ease past Burnley to keep UEFA Europa League dream
Our Tampines Hub a hotbed of passion as football fans throng the venue to catch Champions League final screening Singapore's football fans create an electrifying atmosphere at Our Tampines Hub for
Our Tampines Hub to screen Champions League showdown on
Pep Guardiola is not concerned about the way his Manchester City players use social media, despite a post from Kyle Walker that appeared to mock Premier League title rivals Liverpool.
Guardiola not worried about Man City players' social media use
Southampton stay up after thrilling 3 3 draw with Bournemouth Read more Any violation of policy, community guidelines, copyright law or business cooperation please contact directly by mail us
Football: Southampton stay up after thrilling 3-3 draw with
In an interview with Brazilian website UOL Esporte the 27-year-old's dad laughed off the idea of a switch to Real Madrid or elsewhere and said his son was more likely to extend his stay in the
Neymar's father says PSG extension more likely than Real
That was what Mohamadou Sumareh felt in the narrow 0-1 loss that Malaysia suffered at the hands of Singapore on the opening day of the 2019 Airmarine Cup. Follow Goal Malaysia
Home Contact Us Get Listed Directory About Us Consumer Portal Client Portal the internet pages.co.uk England Scotland Wales Ireland
The Sports News page - Rediff.com
Queiroz livid despite rout Super User - Jan 09, 2019. Carlos Quieroz praises Iran focus after flying start Super User - Jan 08, 2019. Carlos Queiroz among Well
Brazilian football fans still behind their team despite rout
A FIFA feasibility study has concluded the 2022 World Cup can expand to 48 teams by using at least one of Qatar's neighbors as an additional host. FIFA study backs 48-team World Cup in 2022.
APNewsBreak: FIFA study backs 48-team World Cup in 2022
Ronaldo frustrated as Atletico grab late 2-0 win, Football
Ikhsan Fandi signs a two-year deal with Norway second-tier club Raufoss IL to become first Lion in 30 years to join a European team, and the third after his father Fandi Ahmad and V. Sundram Moorthy.
Football: Ikhsan Fandi focused on task as he begins Norway
Football: Watford's Andre Gray strikes late winner to spoil
0 comments:
Post a Comment