Former Arsenal midfielder Denis Suarez believes Unai Emery never received the patience or backing he deserved during his spell as manager of the North London club.
Emery succeeded Arsene Wenger in 2018 after the Frenchman’s 22-year reign, but his time at the Emirates lasted just 18 months before he was replaced by Mikel Arteta.
Softfootball reports Suarez feels the Spaniard faced unrealistic expectations from both supporters and the club’s hierarchy during a challenging transitional period.
Speaking to The Athletic, Suarez defended his former manager, saying:
Unai is a top coach and I think he was treated very unfairly at Arsenal. He took over from Wenger, who had been there for so many years. People were not as patient with him as they had been with Wenger in certain moments.
The midfielder also reflected on his own disappointing loan spell at Arsenal, admitting injuries prevented him from making the impact he had hoped for.
I arrived at Arsenal and had physical problems. I wasn’t able to reach my normal level, no matter how much I tried. It was disappointing for me, but also for Unai,
Suarez added.
