Arsenal were in decline under Wenger, says Emery

Arsenal had lost defensive structure under Arsene Wenger according to new manager Unai Emery.

Wenger left the Gunners after 22 years in charge in the summer, and had seen Arsenal slip down the table as the years went on.

Why were Arsenal in decline? Five key things to know…

1. Arsene Wenger spent 22 years in charge at Arsenal and lead the club to seven FA Cups and three Premier League trophies.
2. But in his later years, the Gunners looked a shadow of their former sides which saw fans become disgruntled.
3. Wenger eventually left the Gunners in the summer, with Unai Emery replacing him.
4. And the Spaniard has blasted his predecessor for focusing on offensive freedom and forgetting defensive structure.
5. Arsenal (15) made more defensive errors leading to goals than any other team in Europe’s top five leagues last season.

Emery was the man to replace him and the Spaniard has turned Arsenal around, with the Gunners currently unbeaten in their past 16 games across all competitions.

And the former Paris Saint-Germain boss has spoken of the changes he had to make immediately upon taking charge at the Emirates.

“With time, only technical quality and offensive freedom were taken care of while losing defensive structure,” he told Spanish newspaper Marca.

“What I want is to combine both and become more competitive. Arsenal was in a decline. We had to stop this, and begin climbing.”

Emery also highlighted Arsenal’s previous record against the top six which needed working on, as the Gunners had gained just six points from a potential 30 against their rivals in the Premier Lague last season.

He added: “We started with an Arsenal that barely won against the top six, even though this year we haven’t done so yet either, but while also having serious difficulty winning away from home, something we have already improved upon.”

Arsenal are currently fifth in the Premier League after 12 games, but will look to close the gap on the top four with a win over Bournemouth on Sunday.

READ MORE: Who should Arsenal look to in replacing Danny Welbeck?

Wenger’s defence vs Emery’s defence

Since conceding six goals in their opening two games in the Premier League, Arsenal have let in nine in their last 10. And, already, they are looking a better defensive unit than they did in their final year under Wenger.

This season, the Gunners have averaged 3.08 blocks per 90 minutes compared to 2.63 last campaign, as Emery begins to put his defensive influence on the side.

Arsenal have also made more clearances on average with 23.16 this season, compared to 21.79 in Wenger’s final year.

Emery’s side have committed more fouls, however, than Wenger’s Arsenal with an average of 11.92 per 90 to 10.08. And this season they have also made fewer interceptions per 90 at 10.17 to 11.14.

But the most telling stat so far is the defensive errors.

Last season under Wenger, the Gunners made a total of 33 defensive errors with 15 leading to goals – an average of 0.39 per 90.

However, this season, Arsenal have made just 12 defensive errors leading to two goals, an average of 0.17 per 90.

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