Arteta's inexperience cost us, Emery would have won us the Premier League — Arsenal legend

Arteta's inexperience cost us, Emery would have won us the Premier League — Arsenal legend

Faruq Ibrahim 23:52 - 26.11.2023

Former Arsenal captain Tony Adams believes if Unai Emery were the Arsenal manager last season, they would have won the Premier League.

Arsenal legend Tony Adams believes the Gunners could have won the Premier League title if Unai Emery were in charge instead of Mikel Arteta.

Emery was Arsenal's manager from July 2018 to November 2019. He was fired after a string of poor results, tepid performances, and low approval ratings among the Gooner fanbase.

Arteta was the next permanent manager after Emery’s termination, and after a stuttering start, the Spaniard has turned the fortunes of the North London side around, and last season they came closest to winning their first league title since 2004.

Arsenal stayed top of the Premier League table for a whopping 234 days but faltered in the title run-in, eventually ceding the spot and eventually the title to perennial champions Manchester City.

What Tony Adams said

Adams, who won four league titles with Arsenal—two in the Premier League era—believes Arteta’s inexperience cost Arsenal the league title last season, and a more experienced manager, specifically Emery, would have gotten the team over the line.

Tony Adams was called "Mr Arsenal" and he captained the Gunners for 14 years. Credit: Imago
Tony Adams was called "Mr Arsenal" and he captained the Gunners for 14 years. Credit: Imago
Mikel Arteta is reportedly in the market for a number 9. (Photo Credit: PL)
Mikel Arteta is reportedly in the market for a number 9. (Photo Credit: PL)

"Last year, weirdly, if Unai Emery was our manager, then we could have perhaps won the league,” he said, per TalkSport.

“I know he didn’t stick around and following Arsene Wenger was difficult, a bit like George Graham being followed by Bruce Rioch [in 1995]. I think he [Arteta] missed a few bits last season to get us over the line. I love him. I love his passion and enthusiasm. 

“I’ve always said he’s a little bit inexperienced and perhaps needs to draw on someone in his staff who is a little more experienced. I’m talking about going across the line last season. We all make mistakes and aren’t perfect. He perhaps didn’t rotate players early enough last season. People were running out of steam, like Bukayo Saka. I think he’s doing great.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal star Kai Havertz told reporters he does not know his favourite position after the victory over Brentford.

Related content