Arsenal will attempt to maintain the momentum generated by their nine-game winning streak before the international break when they welcome Leicester to The Emirates on Monday. It's the Gunners best run of form since April 2015 and although the lasting weakness of a leaky defence under Wenger has somewhat remained for Unai Emery's side, their second-half performance a fortnight ago against Fulham where they scored four goals was earmarked as a breakthrough moment under the new manager, who have finally transitioned into a team with his imprint.
Leicester City boss Claude Puel will be hoping that the high-spirits of Harry Maguire and Ben Chilwell, after England's immense victory over Spain, can stabilise his topsy-turvy team who have both won and lost four games this season. Leicester lost 2-1 last time out against Everton and will be without their captain Wes Morgan who is suspended after picking up a red card in that defeat. The last time the two teams played in April 2018, Leicester defeated Arsenal 3-1 which was the Foxes first win against the Gunners in 23 meetings since 1994.
See live updates from Emery's press conference ahead of the fixture below:
Thanks for joining us. Click the link below to read a full transcript of Unai Emery's press conference:
On whether he's changed the mentality at the club since arriving:
This is one process: to work every day and not the possibility to say now we have a winning mentality. We need to continue improving, continue creating in our way. The strong mentality is [to show] each minute, each ball, each moment of the 90 minutes to show every supporter we are deciding to win with our example on the pitch. We need to give every action with that mentality. This process is very hard, very long and this is the way to do it together. Also with the supporters, we are stronger with them helping us, like for example against Fulham and in every match at the Emirates.
Emery on whether Petr Cech will be fit to start on Monday:
Petr Cech is getting better from his injury but he’s not training with the group. But I think he’s very close to start with us.
Emery on the threat of Leicester's Jamie Vardy:
He’s a very good player. He has talent, his speed [helps] for the counter-press. On Monday we will not want to give him possibilities to continue scoring against us.
More from Emery on Ramsey's decision to stay till the end of the season rather than pursue a move abroad in January:
"For me January is very far [away]. I’m thinking about Monday’s match first. I want every player to stay OK, with the mentality to prepare, to play and [be] together to win."
Emery on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after the Gabonese striker returned early from international duty:
"He didn’t play the last match [for Gabon]. Today he’s training with us like the other players who are working here. He played 45 minutes against the under-23s for us today."I think it’s good when he’s thinking also to play one match with the national team and then rest to stay better with us."
And on Arsenal's need to take one step at a time and the players' need to not get ahead of themselves:
"Now the most important thing is not rushing. Leicester is a difficult match, they are playing with a clear identity and have very good players. We need every single player and our mentality together and stronger than the last matches."
Emery on the weight of Monday's match against Leicester:
“For us this match against Leicester has the same importance as the other matches. After winning six games in the Premier League, we need to continue to be demanding in each match and think about the next match as the most important.”
Emery commends Ozil's motivation, which was questioned by Arsene Wenger, with many speculating if there is a role for the German in Emery's new formation:
"His [Ozil's] motivation is very clear. We need every player with a big motivation every day, in training, with continuing improving and helping us with his quality. The same with Mesut as any other player. We want every day to find this in every player."
And the manager admits he would prefer to play on the weekend rather than Monday evening's TV slot:
“I prefer to play Saturday or Sunday. It [playing on Monday] has the advantage for more time to prepare the match - that’s one positive. After, we are going to play Thursday, we are going to play Sunday also, two matches very quickly after Leicester.“For me it’s not an excuse because we are preparing for Monday. For us this match against Leicester has the same importance as the other matches.“After winning six games in the Premier League, we need to continue to be demanding in each match and think about the next match as the most important.”
Emery reveals that Sokratis is still struggling with an injury problem and will be unavailable to face Leicester:
The players are coming back now. Only Sokratis had one problem, one small injury. Maybe for Monday it’s difficult [for him to play]. The others are OK.
And Emery deflects when asked about if there's any possibility Ramsey may in fact stay at the club:
My answer is the same. My focus is every single match. I want the mentality for the next match, individual things is not for me to speak on now.
Now the manager addresses Aaron Ramsey who was dropped to the bench for that match against Fulham after the club withdrew his offer for a new contract:
“I want every player to stay and show passion. It’s the same situation though. My focus is on the matches. The future is tomorrow.”
I want his performance like another player. The last match he started on the bench and played 25 minutes with this performance. Monday, the same, if he will start in the first XI or the bench to be with the focus to help us like another player, no different."
Unai Emery plays down the Arsenal fans' chants of "we’ve got our Arsenal back” during the second half of Arsenal's 5-1 thumping of Fulham:
“I am not agreeing totally with the response of the supporters. We need to improve a lot. We have to continue doing a lot of things to get better.”
Emery's predecessor Arsene Wenger announced he's intending to return to management at the turn of the year after his 22-year spell with Arsenal and has offers "from all around the world" after taking a six-month sabbatical.
Petr Cech is likely to miss the match with the hamstring injury he sustained against Watford allowing Bernd Leno the chance to continue impressing between the sticks.
Jack Wilshere has told the Islington Gazette this morning that Arsenal should do everything they can to keep his former teammate Aaron Ramsey who is set to leave the club for free in the summer after the club withdrew their offer of a new contract.
“I think you’ve got to look at the situation and ask, ‘How many top teams in the Premier League and elsewhere could he get in?’", Wilshere said. “And you’d have to say them all - and that speaks volumes about the type of player he is."
Mesut Ozil returned to full training during the international break, yet whether he can secure a starting place in Arsenal's side after their spectacular performance against Fulham remains to be seen.
Leicester have just two wins in their last 24 games against Arsenal and were defeated 4-3 in a thriller at The Emirates in August 2017.
Jamie Vardy will be key for Leicester come Monday. The striker has six goals in his last six games against Arsenal and will be well rested after retiring from international duty with England.
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