Keeper Cech Confident Emery Will Rebuild Arsenal

13th August 2018

New Gunners boss first match ended in a 2-0 defeat to champions Man City

Arsenal's Spanish head coach Unai Emery gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on August 12, 2018. PHOTO/AFP
Arsenal's Spanish head coach Unai Emery gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on August 12, 2018. PHOTO/AFP
SUMMARY
  • Goalkeeper nearly scored an own goal and looked uncomfortable in trying to play out from the back 
  • A tough start for the Spanish coach continues against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge
  • Cech believes Arsenal can take heart from Chelsea's own struggles to cope with City 
  • Many of the concepts Emery wants to implement at Arsenal are similar to what Pep Guardiola has mastered 
LONDON, England- Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech pleaded for patience after Unai Emery's first match as Arsene Wenger's successor ended in a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City.

The Gunners struggled to implement some obvious changes demanded by Emery in the off season on Sunday.

Cech nearly scored an own goal and looked uncomfortable in trying to play out from the back as City pressed high.

"I think they have to understand that when you start building a new team with a new manager and a completely new way it may take time," said Cech, who kept his place in goal ahead of new signing Bernd Leno.

A tough start for the Spanish coach continues next weekend against Cech's old club Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea's new boss Maurizio Sarri did get off to a winning start in his Premier League debut at Huddersfield.

Take heart

But Cech believes Arsenal can take heart from Chelsea's own struggles to cope with City in losing the Community Shield 2-0 last weekend. 

"Next week we have another big game but we will be better prepared because we have this game behind us. I believe we pushed them more than Chelsea did in the Community Shield," he added.

Many of the concepts Emery wants to implement at Arsenal are similar to what Pep Guardiola has mastered in raising the bar at City.

And the difference between a project now into its third season under Guardiola and Emery's early days was obvious on the opening weekend of the season.

"We try and build the team and create our own way of playing," said Cech.

"Obviously we have been doing that for five weeks, they have been doing that for three years now so obviously they have a big advantage."