Unai Emery is facing fresh scrutiny from Arsenal supporters after his side’s 1-1 draw at home to Wolves, after claiming the match had panned out how he had wanted it to be tactically.
With Granit Xhaka dropped from the squad and Mesut Ozil returning for just his second Premier League appearance of the campaign, the Gunners led early on as Aubameyang marked his captaincy debut with a goal.
But Emery’s team invited pressure with a counter-attacking style against Wolves, and were made to pay as Raul Jimenez equalised with a good header in the second half.
“It’s a bad result, but tactically it worked how we wanted,” Emery said in his post-match press conference.
“It was an equal match and maybe we deserved more. It’s disappointing. I think the players tried and we scored the first goal but we needed a second for more confidence.
“I am frustrated because we are dropping points at home like we did last year.”
While Arsenal had more possession during the match, they were heavily out-shot by Wolves, who continued their good run against ‘big six’ sides.
Unai Emery was asked about the understanding between himself and his team, with recent developments with Ozil and Xhaka leading to reports that such relationships are coming under strain.
“I think they understand me, yes,” he replied. “They feel the responsibility to win and when we draw they are sad.
“We can improve the balance defensively. But the key was to have more clear chances to take the result for us.”
Emery also added that Aubameyang could take the responsibility of starting as captain again in future, with the striker one of the senior members of Arsenal’s regular team.
