The message from Unai Emery was clear: he intends his Arsenal team to be “protagonists” who are “very, very intensive with pressing”.

Our new head coach was in impressive form at his introductory press conference, and opened up about how he wants his new side to play.



This is what he told the media:

on his style…

In my career, I [have been] very demanding [on] myself. I want people here who are demanding also, and players who are demanding also. My idea is to be protagonists. We play against all the teams with this personality. The history here is a team that love playing with possession of the ball. I like that personality, I like these protagonists with the ball. When you don’t have possession, I want a squad that are very, very intensive with the pressing. The two things are important for me to be protagonists: possession of the ball and pressing when you don’t have the ball.

on Ozil’s importance…

He’s one of the biggest talents at Arsenal and I want talented players here. I want to spend time with all of the players, I want to speak to them on a level about how inspired I am and how excited I am to be here. I want the players to feel that as well. Above all, I think this is a wonderful project and we all need to give 100 per cent. That’s what I’m looking for, from every player and myself.

on Jack Wilshere…

Today, I want to speak about the team collectively. I don’t want to speak about the players individually today. All the meetings with Ivan, Raul and Sven… this team is a big team, big players, good players and we think we need to change little things. A few players. Today, I want to work, I want to speak about the squad globally.

on his immediate priorities and targets…

Now it’s you! All the conversations and all the meetings with Ivan and the people who work here it was very important to give me all the information for the club. After, I want to know how we will [improve] this squad. I know all the players and I think all the players are very important. All the players, who I want, I will be with them this way, but I want to speak with all the players individually. I want to speak with them face to face.