Any Arsenal fans watching Manchester United’s draw with Bournemouth would’ve enjoyed the thriller as a neutral.
Matchday 16 of the Premier League season starved Arsenal fans of excitement, but fortunately, rival clubs were able to restore the entertainment factor.
The Gunners beat Wolves 2-1 in an abysmal performance at the Emirates, as the Premier League leaders required two own goals from the bottom of the table side to win the match.
The snoozefest at the Emirates was the opposite of Monday Night Football’s blockbuster between Bournemouth and Manchester United that ended in an eight-goal draw.
Fill in the blank: I am feeling ______________ about the Premier League title race after GW16…
Andoni Iraola just made Arsenal fans remember Unai Emery’s bizarre comment
Bournemouth trailed 2-1 at half-time, only to put on a show in the second half to take a point from Old Trafford.
The match ended 4-4 and had neutrals all over the globe off their seats, but it was something after full-time that would’ve really got to Arsenal fans.
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola gave his account of the match, which was almost too similar to a comment once made by Unai Emery.
“I enjoyed it, they say the managers don’t enjoy 4-4, I know we’ve made mistakes, but I prefer 4-4 than a 0-0, even if it’s the same point,” Iraola said in his post-match press conference.
He clarified, “I prefer because, at the end, it’s the same. It gives us things to improve, but also things I think we can use positively.”
Not very many Gooners would’ve forgotten Emery’s comment on high-scoring matches when the Spaniard was unveiled as Arsenal manager.
In an interview with Arsenal’s official website upon becoming boss in N5, Emery shared a revelation that was almost identical to Iraola’s comment after matchday 16.
“I like the possession with the ball, I like good pressing against the other team. I prefer to win 5-4 than win 1-0,” Emery said in 2018.
It was a comment that no Arsenal fan wanted to hear from the coach who had just been selected to succeed Arsene Wenger.
Mikel Arteta and Unai Emery couldn’t be more different
Funnily enough, it’s a comment that Arsenal fans thought they’d never hear again once Arteta took the reins from Emery, but Iraola has unlocked the memory.
Humour us: __________ would happen before Mikel Arteta made a comment like Unai Emery’s.
Just by remembering Emery’s comment, the contrast between Arsenal under the Spaniard and Arsenal under Arteta is there for all to see.
There’s a reason why Arsenal have conceded fewer goals than any other Premier League team this season, and that reason isn’t that Arteta is a thrill seeker.
Sure, the football might be more tactically astute than exciting, but the security is rarely jeopardised, something Emery, like Iraola, is willing to dilute for some entertainment.
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