Gabby Agbonlahor has told talkSPORT that Arsenal must ‘stop looking at Unai Emery’ and back Mikel Arteta in the summer transfer sales, despite the Spaniard’s success at Villarreal.
Emery had the unenviable task of replacing iconic Gunners manager Arsene Wenger at the Emirates Stadium in 2018. His first year showed signs of progress towards the end as they reached the Europa League final. But a torrid start to his second season saw him sacked.
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Arteta came in and replaced Emery at Arsenal in December 2019, while the ex-Paris Saint-Germain coach joined Villarreal in July 2020. He then led El Submarino Amarillo to seventh in his first La Liga term, and has now taken Villarreal to the Champions League semi-finals.
Villarreal stunned Bayern Munich 2-1 on aggregate to continue their remarkable European tour under Emery on Tuesday. The Estadio de la Ceramica natives won 1-0 in their quarter-final first-leg before a 1-1 draw in Bavaria. They also eliminated Juventus 4-1 in the last 16.
Arteta, meanwhile, led Arsenal to FA Cup glory in the 2019/20 season, beating Chelsea 2-1 in the final. But the Gunners ended last term outside of the European positions for the first time in 26 years. They are now in contention for a Champions League return, but sit fifth.
Agbonlahor urges Arsenal forget Emery and Villarreal as Arteta ‘needs a bit of a hand’
Arsenal were in the prime position for the Premier League’s last Champions League berth before defeats to Crystal Palace and Brighton. The Gunners now trail Tottenham by three points, and Emery’s success at Villarreal has shone a light on Arteta’s time with Arsenal.
But Agbonlahor urges Arsenal to forget Emery and what Villarreal have achieved and back Arteta in the transfer market. The former Aston Villa striker believes the Spaniard needs a new striker, with Alexandre Lacazette without an open play top-flight goal for 20 hours.
“I don’t think it was [working with Emery],” Agbonlahor said. “It’s alright looking at that now. But I think Arsenal have to forget about the past and focus on what Arteta is doing for Arsenal now.
“He’s got them playing good football, bringing in young players and needs a bit of a hand with a new striker coming in in the summer. But stop looking at Unai Emery.
“It’s different circumstances at Villarreal. When he was at Arsenal, it wasn’t working and Arsenal fans couldn’t wait for him to leave.”
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