Arsenal: Unai Emery reacts to draw against Crystal Palace
A section of Arsenal players reportedly have two issues with Unai Emery as the Spaniard fights to turn things around in north London.
The Gunners saw their hopes of finishing in the Premier League top four dealt a blow on Sunday, with the club squandering a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Crystal Palace.
It was a chastening afternoon for Arsenal and also club captain Granit Xhaka, whose angry reaction to being booed and jeered has sparked controversy.
And The Athletic say a section of the Gunners squad currently have two issues with their manager.
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Emery speaks English well but it appears he struggles to get his messages across to his players at times.
Those two things have seen pressure mount on Emery but, for now, the club’s hierarchy are willing to give him time.
Arsenal believe, though, that the onus is on the 47-year-old to get the best from his squad given the significant backing he has received.
Meanwhile, speaking recently, former Gunners star Robin van Persie expressed doubts over whether his old side had improved in the two years since Wenger’s exit.
“I don’t think so. I don’t think that Emery really connects with his players,” he said.
“I think they are still weak on set pieces, which was a problem at my time, to be honest.
“But everyone should feel responsible. Arsenal lose 12 to 15 points per season by set pieces. That should stop.
“If you want to play for the first couple of places you have to sort it out, you have to find a way.
“As a player you want to have that feeling, you have to sprint back, now I see a couple of players jogging back, and there’s danger there. I don’t feel that in the team.
“If you have a very strong coach, and you are in midfield and you see danger somewhere, you sprint for your life, because you know if you don’t do it you get punished.”