Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta expects a ‘difficult test’ against Unai Emery when his side travels to Aston Villa. The Gunners make the trip to Birmingham to meet the Villans this Saturday.
The Premier League fixture at Villa Park marks Arteta’s third meeting with Emery across all competitions as a manager yet. His Arsenal team faced Emery’s Villarreal in the semi-finals of the 2020/21 Europa League. But it was the La Liga club that advanced 2-1 on aggregate.
Emery oversaw a 2-1 win over his successor in the first leg before holding the Gunners to a goalless draw on his return to Emirates Stadium a year and a half after being fired. The 51-year-old then beat Manchester United 11-10 on penalties in the final to lift the UEFA title.
Arsenal fired Emery in November 2019 and appointed Arteta to their helm that December. He spent just 18 months in charge of the north London club after replacing Arsene Wenger in the hot seat. Villarreal hired the Spaniard in 2020 and kept him until Aston Villa called.
The Villans paid a £5.25m release clause in Emery’s contract at the Estadio de la Ceramica to replace Steven Gerrard. He has since overseen five wins and a draw over nine Premier League matches so far. Saturday’s meeting will be his first with Aston Villa against Arsenal.
Arsenal boss Arteta voices his respect for Emery ahead of facing Aston Villa
Emery holds a good record against the big six Premier League clubs with Aston Villa ahead of hosting Arteta’s Arsenal. The four-time Europa League winner, having lifted three titles at Sevilla, has beaten Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur since he replaced Gerrard.
His Villans squad beat the Red Devils 3-1 in his first match in charge before winning 2-0 in north London against Spurs. But Liverpool won 3-1 at Villa Park and Manchester City took a 3-1 win last Sunday at the Etihad Stadium. Villa also lost 4-2 to Leicester City on the 4th.
Back-to-back defeats ahead of facing Arsenal mark Aston Villa’s worst run of results under Emery yet. But Arteta’s team are also out of form ahead of travelling to Birmingham. They suffered a 1-0 defeat at Everton, 1-1 draw with Brentford and 3-1 loss to Manchester City.
So, Arteta expects Aston Villa will challenge Arsenal on Saturday as he rates Emery highly. Although the Villans boss goes into the meeting chasing his club’s first win over the north Londoners since February 2021. Arsenal have won their last three games with Aston Villa.
“He will always put a difficult test,” Arteta said, via quotes by football.london. “A very good manager. Huge respect for him everywhere he’s been and the success that he’s had. Huge respect for him.”
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