Arsenal news: Unai Emery's press conference ahead of Arsenal's Monday night match against Leicester City
All the latest from the Spaniard's weekly press conference ahead of Leicester's trip to the Emirates
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Your support makes all the difference.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:
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Leicester City arrive at the Emirates on Monday hoping to derail Arsenal's nine-game win streak under Unai Emery. The Gunners are enjoying their best spell of form since April 2015 and the Spaniard's imprint has steadily been ingrained into his side with Alexandre Lacazette, in particular, flourishing in a spell of form he'd previously failed to demonstrate in England. Mesut Ozil is also expected to make a return after missing Arsenal's 5-1 win over Fulham with a back injury.
Leicester suffered their fourth loss of the season to Everton a fortnight ago when Wes Morgan was red-carded meaning he will miss the fixture, however, Jonny Evans will be an able replacement having played for Northern Ireland on Monday. The Foxes will be confident of stealing some points off the Spaniard's side having claimed their first victory over Arsenal since 1994 when the two teams met last April.
Although Alexandre Lacazette's recent performances have endeared him to Arsenal fans, his comments while away with France on international duty will have done him no favours as he appeared to take a thinly-veiled swipe at The Emirates' environment.
"I miss Ligue 1's atmosphere," Lacazette told French outlet Le Progres. "In England, the fans are more spectators than supporters. There's a better atmosphere in French stadiums."
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
(Getty)
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.
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.”
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."
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