5 problems Unai Emery needs to solve as Arsenal manager

By James Dudko | May 23, 2018

Paris Saint-Germain's Spanish headcoach Unai Emery reacts during the French L1 football match between Caen (SMC) and Paris (PSG) on May 19, 2018, at the Michel d'Ornano stadium, in Caen, northwestern France. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP) (Photo credit should read CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP/Getty Images) /

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Five problems for Unai Emery to solve as Arsenal manager, including Mesut Ozil, big-match preparation and adding strength in midfield.

A leaky defense, lack of strength in midfield, big-match preparation and what to do with Mesut Ozil. Those are just some of the problems Unai Emery needs to solve once he is officially appointed Arsenal manager.

Emery will succeed Arsene Wenger in the Emirates Stadium hot seat, according to BBC Sport’s David Ornstein. His primary focus will be returning the club to the Champions League.

The two routes available are through a top-four finish in the Premier League. Or by winning the Europa League, a trophy Emery lifted three times while manager of Sevilla.

Yet neither of those routes will be travelled by the Gunners unless Emery finds the right answers to the following problems:

MADRID, SPAIN – MAY 3: Mesut Ozil of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final second leg match between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal FC at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on May 3, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images) /

5. Ozil or no Ozil

Solving the ongoing Ozil dilemma should be at the forefront of Emery’s mind. The 46-year-old needs to decide if he can indulge such a temperamental talent as the creative fulcrum of his team.

There is no denying Ozil’s ability. Nor is there any denying his knack for going missing in certain matches, falling ill with alarming regularity and suffering injuries when there’s little left to play for.

For all those drawbacks, Ozil remains a supremely gifted passer. He can thread balls between the lines in an instant.

Emery has ample experience making a technically gifted schemer his linchpin in the final third. At Valencia, David Silva then Juan Mata flourished under Emery. His Sevilla sides were reliant on Ever Banega for creativity.

Even so, Emery hasn’t been afraid to leave marquee creators out. Angel Di Maria performed well at PSG, despite being restricted to 26 starts in Ligue 1 and only five appearances in the Champions League this season.

Just like at PSG, Emery will have plenty of alternatives to his big-name playmaker at Arsenal. Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere could all take Ozil’s place.

Arsenal’s new manager will reportedly have a transfer budget of £50 million before player sales. Selling Ozil, who only agreed a lucrative new contract in January, would be the most obvious way to swell the coffers.

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