Unai Emery’s first season at Arsenal will be judged a
success or failure depending on the outcome of a single game — the Europa
League final against Chelsea — but the Spaniard has a habit of saving his best
for Europe’s second-tier competition.
Emery won the Europa League three years in a row between
2014 and 2016 when at Sevilla and would become the most decorated coach in the
competition’s history with another victory in Baku.
However, it is not only a first European trophy for 25 years
at stake for Arsenal but also a much-needed return to the riches of the
Champions League after a two-season absence that will make or break the
impression of Emery’s debut campaign.
Arsenal’s preparations for the final have been dogged by
off-field issues over the awarding of the final to the Azerbaijani capital.
Many fans have been priced out of making the near-5,000-mile
(8,000-kilometre) round trip, while Emery’s team selection has also been
affected, with midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan deciding not to travel on safety
grounds due to political tensions between his native Armenia and Azerbaijan.
However, Emery shrugged off suggestions Arsenal could even
consider boycotting the match and is determined that those distractions do not
impact on his side by the time kick-off comes on Wednesday.
“We have the chance to win a title and play in the Champions
League next season,” said Emery. “All of this is much more important than where
we are going to play the final.
“It’s not possible with Mkhi, yes. It’s not possible with
the fans like we want, yes. But the final is very important.”
Chelsea does not have the added pressure of Champions League
qualification resting on the outcome of the final, having edged ahead of
Emery’s faltering side in the final weeks of the Premier League season to
finish third.
– Arsenal slump –
Before a meaningless final-day win at Burnley, Arsenal had
taken just one point from four games against Crystal Palace, Wolves, Leicester
and Brighton.
Emery had the difficult job of succeeding Arsene Wenger
after the Frenchman’s 22-year reign came to an end 12 months ago.
In a time of transition, the Basque coach has done a steady
if the unspectacular job.
However, doubts remain over his ability to lead Arsenal back
to the heights they reached under Wenger, particularly if they miss out on
Champions League revenue once more.
Emery admitted in the January transfer window that the club
could only afford to take players on loan.
The same defensive issues that haunted Wenger’s final years
in charge have been repeated. Arsenal outscored both Chelsea and local rivals
Tottenham in the Premier League but missed out on the top four by virtue of
conceding 51 goals.
Emery has constantly changed personnel and formations to
find the right balance and even left one or other of his two star forwards
Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on the bench for much of the
campaign.
However, Lacazette and Aubameyang have been united of late
with spectacular success as once again an Emery team has come good in the
Europa League.
Even as they stuttered in the Premier League, Arsenal beat
Napoli and Valencia home and away to book their long trip to Baku.
“Above all in football, coaches, players and supporters want
to play to feel a special moment. And this is one special moment. Our focus is
very clear for this match,” said Emery.
Since Arsenal was last in a European final in 2006, the
Gunners have won just three trophies — all FA Cups — compared with Chelsea’s 13
in those years as the standards set early in Wenger’s reign sharply declined
towards the end.
Getting one over on their London rivals this week will not
only make Emery’s first season a success but allow Arsenal to look to the
future with renewed optimism.
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