‘Let Me Work’ – Unai Emery Responds To Fans’ Boos

Unai Emery reacted to fans booing his decision to substitute Alexandre Lacazette for Aaron Ramsey…

Arsenal head coach Unai Emery has implored the fans to leave him be after his decision to withdraw Alexandre Lacazette for Aaron Ramsey was met with a chorus of boos, the Mirror reports.

After suffering yet another heavy defeat away from home to our rivals, Emery’s honeymoon period seemed to end drastically and fans were starting to ask questions for the first time.

We’re still wondering who Emery is as a coach and when the heat is on, managers often revert back to what they’re most comfortable with.

Therefore, despite stating he wants us to play out from the back and press high up the pitch, we’ve seen decisions which seem to contradict that ethos in recent weeks.

So, with the score at 2-1 at home to the team ranked bottom of the Premier League, the fact that Emery took a striker off for a combative midfielder in Ramsey didn’t sit right with the Emirates faithful.

“I understand the supporters,” the Spaniard said after the game.

“Tactically we thought in that moment we needed to change for more balance. Above all we know (Jean Michael) Seri is coming on and need a player close to him, not to let him play easily with the ball.

“Aaron Ramsey can do that and also help us in attack and scored. The reason is this. I need to do my work. And not maybe because every supporter can have a different opinion, tactically.

“But I need to do my work, Lacazette his work and he scored also. He helped us and it was a very positive reaction.”

The boos were uncalled for, but Emery’s explanation isn’t necessarily doing much to qualm fans that he isn’t the defensive coach many are starting to feel like he is.

Making a defensive substitution to counter a midfield change when we’re playing Fulham at home isn’t why I envisaged an Emery team to be doing at this stage.

However, given that he still getting to grips with the language, one has to assume that Emery isn’t comfortable with our defensive structure.