Arsene Wenger evaluates Unai Emery’s summer signings

Arsene Wenger is adamant that the five signings his successor, Unai Emery, drafted into his revolutionary set-up over the summer transfer window have instilled a ‘defensive solidity’.

Emery joined the Gunners in May from Paris Saint-Germain following Wenger’s exit from the technical area, and the revered Frenchman also believes the ingenious Spaniard is steering the north-Londoners in the right direction.

Outlining his visionary blueprints for his new employers, Emery lured Stephan Lichtsteiner, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Bernd Leno, Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi from their respective former clubs before the current campaign commenced to bolster the depth of his squad. 

Twinned with a collective tenacity, Emery has transformed Arsenal into an exceedingly formidable unit, and the 47-year-old’s recruits have assuredly complimented his avant-garde approach and expectations on the pitch.

Under ‘Le Prof’ towards the latter stages of his 22-year tenure, defensive frailties intermittently crept into Arsenal’s performances, hampering deficiencies that ultimately impeded the club’s stature in the Premier League, and indeed, Europe.

Speaking to BeIn Sports (via Mirror), however, Wenger insists that Emery and his summer additions are proving themselves in an exceedingly cutthroat, critiqued environment.

“I think Emery is doing an excellent job.” He said.

“With the recruits he has brought in, it has brought a form of defensive stability and so I think everything is going well.

“The team is in good hands and I always said that. A lot of people thought when I left the club that the team would need to completely rebuild – I never thought that.

“I am very happy that these people have been proven wrong.”

Arsenal’s outstanding 22-match unbeaten streak was put to an end by Southampton on the 15th, and the Gunners were also knocked out of the Carabao Cup by bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday evening.

But, despite faltering recently, Arsenal have undoubtedly excelled since Emery’s appointment, and as the squad continues to adapt to his rigorous regime, reward will certainly emerge as a result of hard graft, allegiance and dedication.