Arsenal: ‘Intensity’ and ‘accountability’ the Unai Emery M.O.

Lee Dixon has stated that Arsenal’s training sessions now have more ‘intensity’ and ‘accountability’ since Arsene Wenger’s exit. That should come as no surprise. They are the M.O.’s of Unai Emery’s management style.

It was clear that Arsenal would change in the post-Arsene Wenger era. This was a man who had moulded every process at the club into his own image. He was the beginning, middle and end of everything that happened, every decision that was made, every action and behaviour. Everything stemmed from him.

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But the head coach that the Gunners would ultimately hire to succeed Wenger could not have a more different managerial approach to Le Professeur.

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Unai Emery is renowned for his discipline, demanding style, and focus on physicality and athleticism. And this week, Lee Dixon has lifted the lid on some of the changes that Emery has made in training during his first season at the club. Speaking with Premier League productions, Dixon revealed:

"“The training intensity and the accountability in training with what is expected of them has gone up. I know that for a fact because I’ve still got a few people knocking around the training ground that I can ask how things are going. The little insider has kind of said training has completely changed in that respect, which I think’s a good thing.”"

This comment echoes what Denis Suarez said about Emery’s focus in training earlier in the season:

"“He wants his team to press hard. He does a lot of work in training, not just tactically and with the ball, but also physically. He likes really dynamic players.”"

There has been a clear and noticeable shift in focus from what Arsene Wenger wanted his team to be and master to what Emery wants his team to be and master. And that has brought two crucial elements of his managerial style that is changing the very culture of the club: ‘intensity’ and ‘accountability’.

These are the M.O. of Emery’s management approach. He has always been a demanding coach who requires discipline and obedience from his players. Just look at how he challenged Neymar at Paris Saint-Germain and continues to challenge Mesut Ozil this season. He is also a coach obsessed with intensity, energy and athleticism.

This season, Arsenal ran an average of 115.1km per game. That is up from 112.3km, a substantial increase, especially when you consider that it is being achieved by many of the same players that Wenger had at his disposal last year.

Emery has brought and is still bringing accountability and intensity to Arsenal football club. And as Dixon rightly claims, that is a very good thing indeed. The club has needed it for far too long.