ARSENAL have not improved since Unai Emery succeeded Arsene Wenger as a manager.
That’s according to former Gunners striker Robin van Persie who believes many of the players are “weak” and that the boss can’t “connect” with them.
The knives were looking well and truly out for Emery as his side were 2-1 down to minnows Vitoria Guimaraes in their Europa League clash on Thursday.
But the hosts were indebted to substitute Nicolas Pepe, as he came off the bench to score twice and secure a 3-2 win.
Van Persie, speaking in his pundit work on BT Sport, still wasn’t too impressed.
Asked whether Arsenal are better now than when Wenger was in charge, van Persie said:“I don’t think so.
“I don’t think that Emery really connects with his players. I think they’re still weak on set pieces, that was back in my time still a problem to be honest.
NOT PUTTING IN EFFORT
“Everyone should feel responsible. Do you play zone or do you play man on man?
“I think when you’re struggling you should play man on man, because then you just pick your man then you are responsible for your man. It’s a one on one fight.
“Last weekend they again conceded from a corner kick. I said it a couple of weeks ago as well, Arsenal lose 12-15 points per season by set pieces and that should stop.
“You have to sort it out, you have to find away.
“You can see some players, and it’s not honest to judge the coach based on tonight, it’s based on the last couple of months and even the year before.”
Van Persie then went on to suggest some of the players aren’t giving their all for the shirt.
Interestingly, it is an accusation that has been levelled at out-of-favour midfielder Mesut Ozil numerous times throughout his Arsenal career.
Van Persie added:“As a player, you want to have that feeling you have to sprint back, and now you see a couple of players that jog back. There’s a danger there.
“If you have a very strong coach, and you’re in midfield, and you see there is danger somewhere, you will sprint for your life, because you know if you don’t do it you get punished.”
