Former Arsenal and England defender Sol Campbell has likened Unai Emery’s preferred system of football to the style that is in place at Barcelona but says it will take time for the Arsenal players to adapt.
The Gunners currently sit ninth in the Premier League table on six points and were 3-2 winners in their most recent clash against Cardiff City, despite Neil Warnock’s side fighting back on two occasions.
Emery’s side look vulnerable in defence, something Arsenal were also criticised for under the management of Arsene Wenger, but Campbell believes it was always going to take time for the players to get to grips with a different way of playing.
“I think it’s all about a new rhetoric, new system. Players finding out how the manager wants to play and training-wise it’s great,” Campbell told Arsenal Fan TV.
“But then you have to implement that into a game and that takes time.
“It’s not going to happen (straight away). If it happens straight away, fantastic, but there are still teething problems and things like that.
“The players have to get used to that, especially the defenders.
“They’re so deep, almost like the Barcelona kind of starting the play. That’s very unusual for Arsenal to start so deep and receive the ball.
“But, they can do it, they’re quality players, but it just takes a little bit of time to get used to for everyone to get into sync, what to do when you’re being put under pressure.
“When you train it’s great and it could be high intensity, but you can’t replace that other than in the game. So it’s only a few games in and it’s going to take time.”
A mixed start for Arsenal
Emery’s first two games in charge of his new side ended in defeat, with Arsenal beaten by both Manchester City and Chelsea. But there were good signs in the attack against Chelsea, and the Gunners have since gone on to win their two most recent fixtures against West Ham and Cardiff City.
Concerns remain over the Arsenal backline, but striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netted his first goal of the season against Cardiff and looked to have formed an exciting partnership with Alexandre Lacazette, who was also on the scoresheet.
The Gunners’ schedule is set to ramp up in the coming weeks with Europa League and Carabao Cup fixtures both on the horizon. Next up is a trip to Newcastle United.
The post Arsenal players can adapt to Barcelona style under Emery – Sol Campbell appeared first on Squawka News.
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