Thierry Henry insists Unai Emery would have been successful if given more time at Arsenal

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry made a compelling case for Unai Emery, asserting that the Spanish manager would have been a success at Arsenal if he had been given more time. This statement comes on the heels of Emery’s impressive victory with Aston Villa over Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Unai Emery took over as Arsenal manager in May 2018, following the retirement of long-serving manager Arsène Wenger. His tenure, however, was short-lived, lasting only 18 months before he was dismissed in November 2019. During his time at the club, Emery faced numerous challenges, including squad instability and high expectations from fans and the board.

Despite these hurdles, Emery managed to lead Arsenal to the Europa League final in his first season, only to be defeated by Chelsea. His second season saw a dip in form, leading to his eventual sacking. Many fans and pundits believed that Emery’s tactics were not suited to the Premier League, and his inability to communicate effectively in English was often cited as a significant barrier.

Thierry Henry, a revered figure in Arsenal’s history, believes that Emery’s dismissal was premature. Speaking on CBS Sports, Henry described Emery as a “tactical genius” and expressed his belief that with more time, Emery could have turned things around at Arsenal. Henry emphasized that this view does not undermine the excellent work Mikel Arteta is currently doing at the club but rather highlights the potential Emery had.

“For me, obviously this is no disrespect to what Mikel Arteta is doing and is doing extremely well for Arsenal, I just thought that if we kept him [Emery] a bit longer he would have been a success at Arsenal. He did show it straight after when he left the club. I have massive respect for him,” Henry stated.

After leaving Arsenal, Emery returned to Spain and took charge of Villarreal. Under his guidance, Villarreal won the Europa League in 2021, defeating Manchester United in the final. This victory not only restored Emery’s reputation but also demonstrated his ability to succeed at the highest level.

His recent success with Aston Villa, particularly the victory over Bayern Munich, has further solidified his status as a top-tier manager. Emery’s tactical knowledge and ability to adapt to different leagues and competitions have been key to his success.