LONDON (AFP) - Arsenal manager Unai Emery says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made Manchester United a much more dangerous team since taking over from Jose Mourinho.
Emery's side host United in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday and the Spaniard expects a stern test from Solskjaer's revitalised team.
Arsenal drew 2-2 with United at Old Trafford in the Premier League last month, shortly before Mourinho was sacked as manager after a wretched run of results.
Since then, Solskjaer, hired from Molde as interim boss, has overseen seven successive wins in all competitions.
Solskjaer's approach has won over a United squad that grew tired of Mourinho's spikey personality, and Emery is suitably impressed.
"It's a different team. It's the same players but they're playing with a big performance now," Emery told reporters on Wednesday (Jan 23).
"I was watching their last matches and each player has a lot of confidence, with big performances, and now they are very dangerous.
"For us, it's good because it's a very big test for us in this competition."
Arsenal's preparation for the United clash included a team-building paintball trip, but it has been a difficult few days for the club.
It was announced on Monday that head of recruitment Sven Mislintat will leave next month having only been at Arsenal for a little over a year.
A day later, Gunners right-back Hector Bellerin learned he could miss up to nine months after suffering ruptured knee ligaments in the 2-0 win over Chelsea on Saturday.
Emery was asked about both issues and believes Arsenal should take their time in appointing a successor to Mislintat, with Roma's director of football Monchi linked to a similar role in north London.
Asked if it was important to swiftly find a replacement for Mislintat, Emery replied: "Maybe if you do this recruitment very quickly, maybe you can make a mistake.
"I think it's better to do without that, being calm and also finding the best possible person to do this job like we want.
"I think the club is working on that. It's not my issue. I can say the same: if the club decided to sign one sporting director, then I will agree with them."
Bellerin will undergo surgery and could miss the start of next season given the severity of the damage to his knee.
"We were sad and we are sad now after his injury," Emery added.
"I think this year is very difficult for big injuries like Hector, Rob Holding and (Danny) Welbeck. But football is like that.
"We need to treat these injuries like a normality in football, but we are very sad for that."
(Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min wanted a transfer back to Germany after struggling in his debut season at the Premier League club but stayed put after a conversation with manager Mauricio Pochettino, the South Korea international has said. Son moved to Tottenham from Bayer
Sevilla showed they remain a strong title contender in La Liga, while Atletico Madrid snatched a thrilling late win over Celta Vigo. Sevilla showed they remain a strong title contender in La Liga
Real Valladolid vs. Real Madrid - Football Match Report
London (AFP) - Cardiff City captain Sol Bamba dedicated his goal and a 2-1 victory over Southampton to Emiliano Sala after an emotional match for the Welsh club. Saturday's fixtures were the first round of Premier League games since the player's death was confirmed earlier this week.
'Victory and goal for Sala', says Cardiff captain Bamba
What are some words for not giving up? However sad it may feel, if things are not working out, let go, learn from your losses and play to your core strengths.
The Reds, the Pirates, and throwing at hitters - Redleg Nation
Willian eager to stay at Chelsea despite exit rumours. By. Willian has been repeatedly linked with a move away from Chelsea but he was adamant he wanted to stay at the west London club
Willian eager to stay at Chelsea despite exit rumours | IOL
Football For Friendship Portugal coach says Ronaldo can stay at the top for several years. Sport Portugal coach says Ronaldo can stay at the top for several years.
Cristiano Ronaldo can stay at the top for several years, says
Football: Iran and Iraq qualify for last 16 with easy wins
REIMS, France (Reuters) - Ada Hegerberg was not needed as Norway kicked off their women's World Cup Group A campaign with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Nigeria on Saturday. Without Ballon d'Or winner Hegerberg, who quit international football in 2017 due to a dispute with her home federation, the 1995 champions relied on goals by…
Soccer: Hegerberg-less Norway canter past Nigeria - msn.com
Jun 01, 2019 · 'This is only the start', says Jürgen Klopp after Liverpool's Champions League triumph - video A nd so, back into the red.
Bottom club Huddersfield Town ended their eight-match losing streak in the Premier League with a goalless draw at fellow strugglers Cardiff City on Saturday.Cardiff, in 17th place, did not manage a shot on target and Huddersfield were left fuming over a decision from referee Lee Mason.
Cardiff City vs. Huddersfield Town - Football Match Report
Football: Liverpool's van Dijk in doubt for Leicester game
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen