Arsenal: Unai Emery throws unnecessary shade at Nicolas Pepe

It’s not the first time the former Arsenal manager has hit back at his old club, but it’s going a bit too far now…

As an Arsenal fan, I had to respect Unai Emery when he left the club. He shared many great memories with the fans and he was a good stepping-stone manager as the club cooled down from losing Arsene Wenger. However, it wasn’t to be for him in the end, which was respected upon his departure.

However, as the months go on, respect appears to be drawing thinner and thinner. This is because the former boss cannot seem to keep his mouth shut to the media, as he consistently talks trash about Arsenal.

This time, Nicolas Pepe has been his target. And in all honesty, it comes as a surprise, since Emery has never been the type to single out players. In fact, one of the reasons why I welcomed his arrival as a fan was because he seemed to take responsibility, but I will happily eat my words now.

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According to a new report from the Daily Mail, Unai Emery has claimed that he never wanted to sign Nicolas Pepe and instead, he would have favoured a move for his international teammate Wilfried Zaha.

In all honesty, there may be truth behind this but I doubt it is the whole truth. It just seems like old-fashioned passing the blame. Unai Emery never knew how to get the best out of Pepe as Mikel Arteta does, this is just the truth.

Yes, Zaha may have been a better fit at Arsenal, I completely agree with this. However, Emery should take some responsibility as a manager; Pepe is an excellent player, as Arteta is beginning to prove more and more each week. Emery just couldn’t do this and that is on nobody but himself.

What do you make of Unai Emery’s comments?