Arsenal and Marouane Fellaini: In Unai Emery we trust?

Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Marouane Fellaini to a contract this summer. It is reportedly the desire of Unai Emery. So, in Emery we trust?

Arsenal are slowly beginning to make splashes in the transfer rumour world. But their splashes are somewhat lacking in comparison to their rivals.

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While Liverpool and Manchester United are busy bolstering their midfields with a pair of Brazilians, Fabinho of Monaco and Fred of Shakhtar Donetsk respectively, the Gunners have taken a far more economical approach.

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Per reports initially stemming from Foot 365 in France, but has now been reported widely throughout the national media, Arsenal are interested in the possibility of working out a contract for Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini, whose current deal at Old Trafford will expire on June 30th. It is not the most heart-fluttering of potential signings. And it has, predictably, been met with a rather critical response from large factions of the fan base. And to some extent, that is understandable.

Although Fellaini does offer some much-needed experience and depth at a crucial position that could lose a body or two this summer, for a club that is self-professedly aiming to challenge for the title, it is not exactly the ground-shaking move that is required. That is not to say that Fellaini is a bad signing, if done so in a supplementary manner to other, more significant additions, but it is one that will require a little explanation on behalf of the club.

Per the Telegraph report, which is linked above, Unai Emery was interested in signing Fellaini while Paris Saint-Germain manager. It is reasonable to assume, then, that Emery is one of the driving forces of the decision-making process. For those that are less convinced by the Fellaini prospect, then, is Emery who must be afforded their trust.

Like during the great years of Arsene Wenger, fans, as the saying ‘In Arsene, we trust’ indicates, would happily humble their own opinion of a player or system or decision and trust that Wenger’s was the correct one. That is now what Emery is asking of this fanbase.

Some may rightly argue that he has done little deserve such blind faith. Wenger was a prolific winner, one of the greatest managers of all time. He merited the trust of the fanbase to do what he believed was right for the club. Emery has not managed a game yet. Why should he be trusted? Well, perhaps it is because Ivan Gazidis is willing to trust him. That is why he hired him, after all.

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For belief in the Fellaini signing, then, fans must be willing to trust Emery and the club to make the right decisions. I am not sure that all that many are. I certainly have my reservations. Nevertheless, that is what Emery is asking of the fans.