Klopp explains why Arsenal are better under Emery

Arsenal Stars, Iwobi and Ozil

Jurgen Klopp believes Arsenal are a bigger threat to his Liverpool side now they are no longer in the comfort zone they were in under Arsene Wenger.

After losing his first two games in charge, Unai Emery has masterminded a 12-match unbeaten run in all competitions and victory over Liverpool at the Emirates on Saturday could see the Gunners move to within one point of the Premier League leaders.

Eyebrows were raised when Emery was chosen to succeed the long-serving Wenger, but Klopp believes the Spaniard’s situation was similar to the one he faced when he replaced Brendan Rodgers just over three years ago and is not surprised by the impact the former PSG and Sevilla boss has made.

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“It will be a big challenge they have all the different tools,” he said. “They can be creative, they have rhythm, they are demanding in midfield they win balls high up on the pitch, they have the speed. They have plenty of star players.

“Arsene Wenger is one of the best managers in the world there is no doubt about it but sometimes after a very long time the mood in the club changes a little bit and it’s quite difficult to work against that.

“That was the situation last year, people respected him a lot, well deserved, but on the other side they thought they needed to change something.

“To change something is only good if it’s for the better. Unai Emery, all people in football knew how good he is. Not all Arsenal fans were over the moon in the first moment but that’s England a little bit, you want the posters boys.

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“You can go a bit under the radar, but he won eight titles in the last three years so that’s pretty big. It is clear that things were going to change the players would know that, that’s how it is.

“If a new manager comes in, the same when I came to Liverpool, all the players are immediately out of the comfort zone. That’s how it is. They all have to prove it’s not just the name the footballer as well and they used it pretty well.”

Sporting Tribune