Emery: I Want The Players to Be Angry

Aubameyang subbed against Newcastle

Unai Emery has revealed that he is not moved by player reactions whenever he decides to take them off at any point in time.

It is normal for players to demand much playtime even when they know that their presence on the pitch will only yield disaster.

Unlike Arsene Wenger who loved to over-satisfy players by still leaving them to play on till very late in the game when it was so obvious that they were costing the team progress, Emery is one who makes changes as early as possible when things are not working out. We have seen that on various occasions since the start of his reign at the club.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was subbed in the 2-1 win against Newcastle United on Saturday and the look on his face showed that he was not pleased with the decision. That, according to the manager is not something that bothers him since it is the normal thing to do in such circumstances.

“It’s normal,” he said. “I want the players when I change the team or when I decide them not to start them in the first XI to be angry and have ambition to play and help the team and stay on the pitch. For me it’s a normal situation.”

The Spaniard went on to refute claims that Aaron Ramsey's substitution in the same game was as a result of injury. The Wales international had no serious fitness isues apart from the fact that he was fatigued - an aftereffect of his involvement in games during the just-concluded international break.

“It’s also normal,” said Emery. “He played with the national team two matches and then he played 80 minutes with us, so he asked us to change him. It’s not a big problem but he was tired. I think it is no problem.”