Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has lavished praise on Unai Emery, describing the Spanish tactician as a “phenomenal manager” and an “unbelievable technician.”
Merson believes Emery’s ill-fated stint at Arsenal was simply a case of bad timing.
After achieving incredible success at Paris Saint-Germain, where he won seven trophies, including the 2017/18 Ligue 1 title, Emery took on the daunting task of succeeding Arsene Wenger at Arsenal.
Wenger’s 22-year tenure had established him as the longest-serving and most decorated manager in Arsenal’s history.
Emery’s impressive Europa League credentials, having guided Sevilla to three consecutive titles, made him an attractive candidate.
However, he struggled to win over Arsenal fans from the outset and was ultimately sacked just 18 months into his reign, following a dismal run of results in the 2019/20 campaign.
Undeterred, Emery rebounded spectacularly, leading Villarreal to Europa League glory and a Champions League semi-final appearance.
This resurgence caught the attention of Aston Villa, who brought Emery back to the Premier League two years ago.
Now 52, Emery has rebuilt his reputation in English football, transforming Aston Villa from relegation candidates into a Champions League contender capable of defeating powerhouse Bayern Munich.
Merson’s praise is a testament to Emery’s renewed credibility.
“Unai Emery is a phenomenal manager, an unbelievable technician.”
“He was just too soon for Arsenal, that’s all.
He’s proven himself since, and Aston Villa are reaping the rewards.”
‘Following Arsene Wenger was a big ask, Arsene Wenger: one of the greats.
‘This man is a top, top coach, he’s a top, top coach. This man improves players.
‘You go through your Jose Mourinhos, your Sir Alex Fergusons, your Arsene Wengers, Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, Mikel Arteta, people like that… they improve players, that’s what they do.
‘Top coaches improve players and he’s done that with every player. Every player at Aston Villa, for me, has improved since he’s been there.
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‘He’s an unbelievable manager, an unbelievable technician.’
Merson continues:
‘He’s right in what he said last night, they could have maybe got beaten. But they didn’t, they hung in there.
‘Arsenal beat them a couple of weeks ago when Arsenal did what Villa did to them the season before.
‘Villa are a massively improved football club. They’re a good team and it doesn’t shock me, if I’m being honest.
I was fortunate enough to play there.
‘This is a big, big football club, a huge football club, and I don’t people understand how big it is unless you live in Birmingham.’
Thierry Henry shares a similar to Merson when it comes to Emery and is confident the Spaniard would have been a ‘success’ at Arsenal had he been given more time to turn the situation around.
Asked whether Emery has his respect as a coach, the legendary ex-Arsenal forward told CBS Sports:
‘Oh yeah, big time. He’s a tactical genius.
‘He always goes out there and makes sure his team has an advantage tactically because that’s how he operates.
We all know what he did in Spain.
‘For me, obviously this is no disrespect to what Mikel Arteta is doing and is doing extremely well for Arsenal, I just thought that if we kept him [Emery] a bit longer he would have been a success at Arsenal.
‘He did show it straight after when he left the club.
‘I have massive respect for him.’
Emery’s Aston Villa revolution serves as a reminder that sometimes, timing is everything in football management.
