Arsenal: 10 things we learned about Unai Emery in his first year

5. He values work ethic/energy

Much like his own personality on the sideline, Unai Emery showed a clear preference for players who were energetic and hustled their arses off. Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi embodied this desire, and it was no surprise that they found plenty of playing time, and will continue to going forward.

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Unai Emery asks a lot out of his players, and it shows on the pitch. In our best matches, we had guys like Alexandre Lacazette defending in the Arsenal goal box and we had guys like Lucas Torreira getting into the opposing goal box with late attacking runs into danger zones.

It’s a complete team effort under Emery, and that’s why guys like Mesut Ozil will never make it in his system. No matter what changes Ozil undergoes, he has played his entire career one specific way, and expecting him to alter that now is asking a bit much.

Which, I hate that I have to bring this up, is why Aaron Ramsey was the perfect No. 10 for the Emery system. His work didn’t end with the attack. His work never ended.

Replicating that kind of mindset, and building a team full of those kinds of players, is how we are going to unlock the very best system Unai Emery can put together.

Which takes us to No. 4.