In a game Emery tagged as ‘must win’, Arsenal fell 2-0 to Leicester at the King Power. Arsenal are now eight points off top four as we head into the international break.
In his post match conference, Emery asked for patience
On the performance…
We worked. We played our game plan being consistent. In the first half, it was a very equal match and we had chances to score. We concede some for them but it’s normal as a side playing at home with their supporters. Really, I think we did the first half very good. The second half we started [well] also being protagonist and having chances, good chances. They also did one post. The team who scored the first goal was the three points and they did that.
On the change in formation…
I think we were comfortable defensively with three centre-backs. We had opportunities to go forward with the full-backs, Sead Kolasinac and above all Hector Bellerin. He was very important. He felt very well playing. In the middle with Lucas, Mesut and Matteo sometimes we keep the possession like we wanted. Really, I was thinking in the first half that we were well and that we had the opportunity to win the match. They had that opportunity to score and they did that and we didn’t do it.
On the way his team responded to going down…
This evening, the players worked with a very good attitude, they tried and also, we were in the match. If we score the first goal, we can control the result. But we didn’t do it. And they did. That is the difference. The attitude was good. This is the spirit we need to grow for the next matches.
On his chances of finishing in the top four…
It’s our success. For now our priority is to win at home against Southampton and to be consistent in the 38 matches. We have now some difference behind Leicester and Chelsea. But we keep moving to take confidence and to take our performance. We’re going to do it. Our challenge is in the next matches to recover the points for us and in the long-term, over the 38 matches, get better little-by-little. We are going to think only about the next match and the next three points.
On getting time from the board and the supporters…
The most important thing inside is to be calm and be ambitious and demanding of ourselves to work. We stand up in our mentality and in our work.
On if the club is calm and behind him…
Yes.
