Rio Ferdinand thinks Arsenal ‘disrespected’ Unai Emery during his time at the club as he continues to thrive at Aston Villa.
The 52-year-old directly replaced Arsenal’s long-serving and legendary coach, Arsene Wenger in 2018 and ended up guiding the club to the Europa League final.
But months after that defeat to Chelsea, Unai Emery was sacked in 2019, as his trophy-winning journey continued elsewhere in the colours of Villarreal, including knocking Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal out of Europe.
The hope from Aston Villa fans is that he does the same with them because he is showing strong signs that it will happen.
But Rio Ferdinand, when reacting to Villa’s win at Tottenham from the weekend, couldn’t help but mention the ‘disrespect’ the Spanish coach got at the Emirates, as he told Vibe with Five.
Whilst Unai Emery lasted just over a year, his replacement did win the FA Cup during that same season, but was continually backed with hundreds of millions despite two eighth-placed finishes.
Unai Emery at Arsenal
“That Spurs squad is decimated,” said Ferdinand on Tottenham losing to Aston Villa. “Injury-wise, it’s decimated.
“Unai Emery is doing a madness. Arsenal disrespected his whole thing.”
Unai Emery at Aston Villa
Let’s be honest, if Arteta had taken charge of Arsenal straight after Wenger, then he would have been booted out quicker than Emery.
Just like Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, it was always going to be an impossible task.
But Villa fans won’t care one jot because they are witnessing some outstanding football, performances and results so far, all thanks to Emery.
The Champions League chasers are fourth in the table, two points off leaders Arsenal ahead of a trip to Bournemouth in the Premier League and then two mouthwatering showdowns against Manchester City and Arsenal.
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