PSG boss Unai Emery is JEALOUS of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger ahead of Champions League clash

The former Sevilla boss has had a difficult start since taking over at the French champions this summer and admits he would like to be in Wenger’s place

Paris Saint Germain boss Unai Emery is jealous of Arsene Wenger’s longevity at Arsenal – because he is already under pressure.

Former Sevilla boss Emery has had a difficult start since taking over at PSG in the summer as the French champions have lost to Monaco and drawn with Saint Etienne.

His new side now face the Gunners in their opening Champions League group match and Emery – brought in for his European experience after leading Sevilla to Europa League glory – admits he would like to be in Wenger’s place.

Frenchman Wenger will celebrate 20 years in charge of Arsenal later this month and Emery insists that he remains one of the world’s top managers.

Emery said: “I’ve been at coaches’ meeting for the last five years and seen Wenger. I’m 44, quite young, and trying to learn still. But I’ve been speaking with the best coaches in Europe over that time and that includes Wenger.

“I have a lot of respect for his longevity. It’s not very common – there was Sir Alex Ferguson – but we’d all like to be in a similar situation to Arsene Wenger.”

Emery has already come under fire from the French press after PSG’s patchy start as they are expected to win every game in Ligue 1 and the demand is they do better in the Champions League.

The clash with Arsenal is made more difficult with fitness doubts over Thiago Silva, Javier Pastore, Maxwell and Layvin Kurzawa.

Emery added: “I’m the coach. So, when we win matches, there are positive press and when we lose there is criticism. That is always the case. I’m also very self-critical and learn a lot as well from this process of self-criticism.

“That’s always been the case. I focus on the work I have to do in terms of patience and precision in my work.”

“Obviously it’s important all the players are fully fit. We have our final session later today: Thiago Silva, Maxwell, Pastore… yesterday’s training session was more positive for me because everyone made it clear they wanted to be involved. That pleased me.”