Mikel Arteta vs Unai Emery complete H2H record

We're never too far away from a tiresome debate over who's the better manager: Mikel Arteta or Unai Emery.

Arsenal had just coasted to a 2-0 opening weekend win over Wolves in north London, yet somehow, one contributor to a fan channel we're all very aware of found a way of bringing up the utterly futile managerial debate once again.

Emery failed at Arsenal. Arteta has so far been a success. Does that necessarily make one manager better than the other? Short answer: no. While Arteta has been able to build what Emery couldn't in N5, the current Aston Villa manager's tangible achievements pale in comparison to Arsenal's leading man.

Both are excellent at what they do, but one does have the considerable upper hand when it comes to head-to-head meetings...

Every Mikel Arteta vs Unai Emery head-to-head

Arteta's duels with Emery did not start in the Premier League. The two Spaniards first faced off in the semi-finals of the 2020/21 Europa League while Emery was managing Villarreal.

This was Arteta's Arsenal still in their infancy, and supporters were well aware of Emery's pedigree in this competition. While the Spaniard failed to inspire in the Premier League with the Gunners, he did guide them to the 2019 Europa League final.

The first leg started disastrously for Arsenal as they fell 2-0 behind in the opening 30 minutes, but a late Nicolas Pepe penalty after Dani Ceballos was sent off on the hour gave them hope heading into the return leg at home. Etienne Capoue was also dismissed late on for the hosts.

However, the second leg at the Emirates proved to be a dark outing for Arteta's side. Thankfully in front of no fans, Arsenal were completely flummoxed by Emery's diligent Yellow Submarine. The hosts huffed and puffed, but Villarreal were far too streetwise. They were comfortable, and a stalemate sent them through to the final, where they beat Manchester United on penalties.

The pair's Premier League rivalry kicked off in some style at Villa Park just days after Arsenal had suffered a potentially crushing defeat to title rivals Manchester City in February 2023. The had to bounce back at Villa Park or risk spiralling, and an early Ollie Watkins goal added to their woe. However, the Gunners ensured Emery's resurgent Villa didn't get away from them.

A to-and-fro contest was two apiece entering second-half stoppage time when Jorginho unleashed a fading rocket from distance which crashed the underside of the bar and deflected off outspoken former Gunner Emiliano Martinez for the match-winner. Gabriel Martinelli then made sure of a huge Arsenal win, Arteta's first and only triumph over Emery, on the breakaway. God, the serotonin release that brought!

While that win reignited their 2022/23 title charge, Arsenal's duels with Villa the following year proved devastating. Arteta's side weren't at their very best in either encounter, but they certainly created enough to claim results in both. An early John McGinn goal proved the difference at Villa Park before Emery's men sealed a 2-0 away win in April having weathered Arsenal's first-half storm.

Mikel Arteta vs Unai Emery overall record

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