Tierney points the blame for Aston Villa boss Emery failing at Arsenal

16 February 2024 , 21:35

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Unai Emery had 18 months before he was sacked by Arsenal (Image: PA)

Kieran Tierney concedes the Arsenal players must shoulder a lot of the blame for Unai Emery's failed spell at Arsenal.

The Spaniard is now proving his managerial credentials in England with Aston Villa after getting mixed results whilst at the Gunners. Emery only had 18 months in the job at the Emirates before he was given the boot with Mikel Arteta hired as his replacement.

Emery missed out on the top four in his only full season in charge of Arsenal and also lost in the Europa League final. In his second term he was struggling to keep pace with the leading pack but Tierney, one of Emery's signings, believes the players weren't able to justify his hard work on the pitch.

He told the Irish Examiner: "I loved working with Unai Emery. Unfortunately, us players never got the results he deserved. I don’t think it’s on him. He worked so hard, every single day he gave us everything, and ultimately we never got the results.

"Why not? If I knew that, I would have a job higher up in football. Often in football, things don’t go to plan. It was sad, but you see what he went on to do in Spain and now with Aston Villa.”

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Emery, who had won honours with Sevilla and PSG before joining Arsenal, was able to underline his quality once again when he joined Villarreal. With the La Liga outfit he claimed another Europa League, beating Manchester United in the final, before he then led them to the last four of the Champions League.

Now he's back in the Premier League with Villa, whom he led into Europe last term. Now he has them in contention for the top four with the Midlands outfit already claiming notable scalps over the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City.

The Spaniard is now impressing with Aston Villa (Ryan Browne/REX/Shutterstock)

Emery has previously confessed he was frustrated by the manner of his Arsenal exit as he told The Times : "It was a very good challenge but when I finished after one year and six months, in November [2019] I was really frustrated. The first year was good, the second year started a bit so-so and then it was over. Arsenal was difficult to arrive at after Wenger.

"What was needed was a process. The supporters respected me a lot and I was frustrated because I was thinking, ‘I can do it, but I need time'. But I understand always football. I understand always my position as a coach. You have to win. You convince by winning."

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Samuel Meade