Rio Ferdinand says Arsenal ‘disrespected’ key figure who’s doing ‘a madness’ now

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Rio Ferdinand believes that Unai Emery was harshly treated in his time as Arsenal manager.

Unai Emery was appointed Arsenal manager in May 2018, replacing the iconic and long-serving Arsene Wenger in the Emirates Stadium dugout.

There were promising signs early on in the Spaniard’s reign, as he enjoyed a 22-match unbeaten run during his first season in the job. However, the campaign ended poorly, with the Gunners narrowly missing out on Champions League qualification, and getting hammered by Chelsea in the Europa League final.

Emery did not last a full second season in the job. In November 2019, he was sacked, with Freddie Ljungberg becoming interim manager prior to Mikel Arteta’s appointment in December of that year.

Arteta went on to lead the Gunners to FA Cup glory that season. However, he then went through an extended period of struggle and disappointment. In each of his first two full seasons in charge of the north London club, Arteta could only manage eighth-place finishes in the Premier League. 

Throughout this period, the former club captain was regularly under intense pressurre, with speculation rife that his days in the job were numbered. The club persisted with the young coach, though. Sporting director Edu has since spoken out publicly about why the club’s hierarchy stood firmly behind Arteta throughout this time.

The board have got their reward for their patience. Arteta gradually transformed the club, rebuilding the squad in his image, and healing the rift that had developed between the club and the fans. Arsenal are now genuine title challengers once more, and there is regularly a fantastic atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal slammed for treatment of Unai Emery

It is certainly is true, though, that Emery got less time to work through the challenges facing him than Arteta did. It seems that the board never quite had the same degree of faith in him as they did in Arteta, despite the current boss having never held a managerial position prior to being handed the reins at the Emirates Stadium.

Rio Ferdinand believes Emery was not given a fair chance to make his mark at Arsenal. Referencing the success that the former Arsenal manager is currently enjoying with Aston Villa on his FIVE YouTube channel, he said, “Unai Emery is doing a madness. Arsenal disrespected his whole thing.”

Emery has certainly made an impressive impact at Villa Park. Last season he led the Midlands outfit to Europa Conference League qualification, and they are currently fourth in the Premier League table.

Arsenal may well have treated Emery harshly. However, few fans will resent Arteta having taken his job, as the Gunners currently sit at the top of the league table.