Unai Emery has launched the first impassioned defence of his Arsenal tenure, accusing his critics of having short memories and insisting that he has made the team more competitive since his arrival.

Emery was in animated and ­demonstrative mood following ­Arsenal’s defeat by Sheffield United on Monday as he called for patience from supporters after a summer of upheaval in which 11 senior players departed.

The Spaniard also reiterated his belief that record signing Nicolas Pepe needed to be given time ­before he hit top form, citing the example of Fabinho at Liverpool – a player Emery wanted to sign for Arsenal last summer – as proof that a bedding-in process is required in order to adapt to the Premier League.

Emery also said the development of Matteo Guendouzi this season was evidence of the faith Arsenal were placing in young players as he called on his side to match the ­“intensity” of performances in cup competitions this season.

“Sometimes we forget the memory and we need to remember,” ­Emery said. “When I arrived, this team needed to be more competitive. Arsenal, in their history, were winning 1-0 and being very competitive, but it was not enough.

“Then [they went through] the process of being competitive and with improved creativity. When I arrived here, the creativity was more or less good, but being competitive was worse. It was not enough.