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
The Hamilton Beach cordless electric wine opener uncorks bottles with just the push of a button. It is cordless and portable, so you can open bottles of wine in the kitchen during holiday parties or out on the deck for summer cookouts.
Hamilton Beach 76606ZA Smooth Touch Can Opener, Black and
Valencia president Anil Murthy is confident the club can become of the best in Europe in the coming years thanks to the economic and social stability at Mestalla. After coming 12th in consecutive
Lee Kang-in, South Korea football, La Liga, Socceroos
Football: Man City come from two goals down to reach FA Cup last four LONDON (REUTERS) - Premier League leaders Manchester City recovered from two goals down to beat Championship side Swansea City 3-2 at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday (March 16) to progress to the FA Cup semi-finals.
Man City come from two goals down to reach FA Cup last four
Manchester City football flag (Reuters pic) MANCHESTER: Manchester City will play a pre-season match in Japan for the first time when they take on J League side Yokohama F. Marinos on July 27, the
Manchester City to play pre-season match in Japan against
BRIGHTON 1-3 MANCHESTER CITY - MAHREZ 63: GOAL! Looks like the Premier League title is staying in Manchester!!! Riyad Mahrez of all people pops up with a third to give Pep Guardiola's Manchester
Pep Guardiola's Manchester City can be judged with England's
Kruse rues missed chances in loss. Brisbane boy Kruse was a second half substitute and he had a golden chance to equalise had it not been for the brilliance of South Korean goalkeeper Kim Jin
Solskjaer rues Manchester United's missed chances against Arsenal
Trains London to Derby - Train Timetables & Cheap Tickets
Jurgen Klopp refused to get carried away with the growing expectation that Liverpool can lift the league title for the first time in 29 years saying his players must stay focused after they thrashed Arsenal 5-1 on Saturday. Roberto Firmino's hat-trick - the first by a Liverpool player against the
Premier League voices fears over proposed Champions League
Some easing of austerity seems key to keeping Mauricio Pochettino happy at Spurs. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters to the full focus of their own best qualities. There was no change of gear
Pochettino presser live: Spurs boss on Kane injury, Son
Surely now Manchester City have the title in the bag! Hello and welcome to our live coverage of this crunch Premier League encounter between Brighton and Hove Albion and Manchester City at the
Brighton 1-4 Man City: City crowned Premier - express.co.uk
Memphis Depay dazzled for the Netherlands with a brace and two assists as they cruised past Belarus 4-0 in their opening Euro 2020 qualifier on Thursday despite having to play the final 20 minutes with 10 men. Depay set the Dutch on their way just seconds into the match and slotted home a second
Football: Ikhsan Fandi determined to step out of dad Fandi
A new report claims that UEFA members have decided that a ban from the competition would be suitable punishment, but could it really happen? Manchester City are currently under investigation
0 comments:
Post a Comment