WHAT HAPPENED? Emery, who currently manages Aston Villa in the Premier League, says he has enjoyed the challenge of taking over from legendary manager Arsène Wenger at Arsenal, but believes he deserves more time to produce results.
The Spanish coach only stayed in the job for 18 months and was quickly replaced by Mikel Arteta.
Emery regrets his time in north London but is happy that Arteta has resolved some of the problems he identified during his tenure.
WHAT THEY SAY: Speaking to The Times, Emery said: “It was a really good challenge, but when I finished after a year and six months in November [2019], I was really frustrated.”
The first year was good, the second year started a little mediocre and then
it ended. Arsenal were difficult to catch after Wenger. What was needed was a process.
The fans had a lot of respect for me and I was frustrated because I thought: ‘I can do it, but I need time’. But I always understood football. I still understand my position as a coach. You must win. We convince by winning.
He added: “The work Arteta is doing there now is brilliant and he is doing more or less everything I thought he should be doing there.
And now the story is different. I am here.” I have my challenge here. And Aston Villa is a great club.”
THE BIG PICTURE: After leaving the north London club in 2019, the 51-year-old returned to La Liga and took charge of Villarreal ahead of the 2020/21 season.
He guided them to the Europa League title in his first season, before taking them to the Champions League semi-finals the following season.
In October 2022, he replaced Steven Gerrard as Aston Villa manager and guided them to seventh place in the Premier League in his first season at the club.
