Arsenal: PSG proves Unai Emery must be careful with ‘friction’

Unai Emery has stated that he likes to invoke ‘friction’ with his star players. However, as his time at Paris Saint-Germain proves, the Arsenal manager must take great care with such an approach.

It is fair to say that Unai Emery has not necessarily made himself all that popular with his players in the past. A tremendously hard task-master, those that he coaches tend to either extol his virtues or bemoan his harsh treatment and practises.

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This is a problem that has become more evident as he works with higher profile players. While he was Valencia and Sevilla, Emery was often managing players that were happy to be ruthlessly worked, not carrying the ego of some of their more flagrant counterparts.

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But at Paris Saint-Germain and now Arsenal, it is noticeable that Emery’s man-management tactics can be dissatisfying for some of his star players. When asked about he manages and motivates his players this week, Emery gave a very interesting and slightly peculiar response:

"“At certain times, you have to provoke friction with footballers. From that friction, you can get something more out of them, something from inside, a greater sense of ambition or maybe even a complaint. A complaint regarding the team can be positive. As a manager, you have to be careful because that friction can break a relationship. But I believe in always looking for more, both individually and collectively, with conversations which are comfortable but also with conversations which are less comfortable.”"

As he states later, the thinking is simple: get the best out of your players.

"“We know that we have to put pressure on the players, to push them. So if a player is giving 70 per cent, he gives 80 per cent. Then if he is giving 80 per cent, he gives 90 per cent. There is always another step, another push. Psychology is an aspect which can help to find it.”"

The problem is that Emery’s approach often alienates his players, the exact opposite reaction that he is looking for. At PSG, the ‘friction’ in the dressing room was notorious. Neymar was the leader, as Emery admitted in an interview afterwards, Julian Draxler outright did not listen to the Spaniard, and there was a complete and utter lack of control and respect. The relationship had fallen down.

And now similar things are happening between Emery and Mesut Ozil, Arsenal’s key man. Ozil has been in and out of the team throughout the season. He has been publicly criticised by Emery, before then being made captain; he has been seemingly unwanted and treasured at exactly the same time. It is a confusing dynamic. But it is also one that threatens to tear the squad apart from the inside out. Arsenal, if you haven’t noticed, are in a bit of a tailspin.

Emery likes to antagonise his players a little and provoke a response. He embraces the conflict it creates, believing that his players perform at a better standard as a result of it. But he needs to be careful. As PSG proves, alienation and distrust are easy to sow, and once it takes hold, the game is all but up.