Arsenal: ‘Demanding’ Unai Emery the whole point of change

Petr Cech has stated that Arsenal is a more ‘demanding’ club now that Unai Emery has replaced Arsene Wenger. And really, that was the whole point of instigating change.

When Arsenal decided that the time of Arsene Wenger should come to an end, whether he wanted it to or not, they chose to usher in a new era built on different principles, using new tactics, instilling a modern culture that leads to greater success than what Wenger was able to bring to the club in his latter years.

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The man who was tasked with bringing such change to pass was Unai Emery. The Spaniard, heralded for his attention to detail and man-management skills, was afforded the freedom of the club to change what he wanted, to re-mould it in his image, to manage in his way, to build a project.

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And that, according to Petr Cech, has brought about a key difference between the Wenger era, even at this early stage of the experiment. Speaking after Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Everton, their fifth in succession in all competitions, Cech revealed that this is a more ‘demanding’ club than what it was under Wenger:

"“I think the place became much more demanding in every way, so this is great to see because this is what initially drives everybody forward and gives you the [right] kind of kick, that ‘I’m not doing enough to start the game’ or ‘I’m not doing enough to keep my spot in the game’ because the manager asked for precision and hard work. This is how it should be. We have very healthy competition and we are actually taking the benefit of it. It comes from the everyday work and the manager’s way of playing the game as well.”"

Really, this should be music to fans’ ears. This is what most wanted when they called for Wenger to leave and for the club to take a new direction. This was the whole point of the most critical decision that this club has made in more than two decades. To change the culture.

Wenger was notoriously loyal to his players. He believed very much in the harmony of the dressing room. He wanted to encourage a positive atmosphere, to have his players be comfortable and happy. He treated them as much as people as he did players. And that should be commended. It was an approach that brought about one of the most brilliant eras in footballing history. But in building such a culture, Wenger lost the crucial element of competition.

Now, however, Emery holds no loyalty to any of these players. If they do not perform, as he has proven already this season, he is more than willing to drop them. The players must now illustrate their worth, not just be handed value by virtue of their past record. It is a more ‘demanding’ place.

And that is the point. Arsenal needed to be. They had grown soft. The results had deteriorated because of it. That is why change was wanted, it’s why it was instigated. It’s why Emery is now at the club. And, hopefully, it’s why this will be a successful era.