Defeats won’t stop Emery from Arsenal overhaul

Manager understands importance of three points when hosting West Ham

LONDON/ MANCHESTER: Unai Emery insists Arsenal's spluttering start to the season won't stop him overhauling his team's style of play.

Emery has been criticised for changing Arsenal's tactics too quickly after the Gunners were beaten by Manchester City and Chelsea in their first two Premier League games.

With Arsenal hosting West Ham on Saturday, the London derby against Manuel Pellegrini's team — also losers in their opening games — offers Emery a chance to steady the ship.



The Spaniard is in his first season at the Emirates Stadium after replacing Arsene Wenger and has moved quickly to alter the game-plan preferred by his predecessor.

Where Wenger demanded Arsenal played an all-out attacking system that often left them vulnerable at the back, Emery favours a high-tempo pressing game.

The former Paris Saint Germain boss also likes his goalkeeper and defenders to start moves with passing from the back, even when under pressure from opponents.

This has led to Arsenal putting themselves in difficult positions at times, but Emery is adamant the issues are just teething problems that will soon resolve themselves.

"In our process, we are going 38 matches against all the teams — whether you are playing against Manchester City, it's the same as if you're playing against West Ham on Saturday," he said. "There are three points on this game. It's clear that every game demands different things tactically. After the first two matches, we have two defeats and we need to win this match against West Ham."

Kompany better than ever 10 years into City career

Vincent Kompany believes he is playing better than ever as he celebrates a decade as a Manchester City player, with the club captain even talking of extending his stay at the Premier League champions.

The Belgian international, whose time at City has been plagued by injuries, appears to have finally found consistent fitness and is a key component of the City team that has started this season in ominous fashion with convincing victories over Chelsea in the Community Shield and Arsenal and Huddersfield in the Premier League.

Next up is at visit to newly-promoted Wolves on Saturday, and Kompany, 32, is enjoying City's dominance under Pep Guardiola so much he wants to extend his playing career at the Etihad.

"I'm actually really lucky to be a really good athlete naturally so I still feel mobile, I still feel strong, I'm improving and I'm learning so much more about the game," said Kompany, whose current contract expires at the end of the season. "I'm not stressed or nervous about any possible scenario because I've prepared for every eventuality.



"I'm enjoying the game more than I've probably ever enjoyed the game. Probably my first year at City and this last year now have been the best in my career so you want to make it last as long as you can,” he added

On top of his leadership and ability on the field, Kompany is a key symbolical figure as the only player to have joined the club before Sheikh Mansour's takeover poured in billions of pounds to make City's squad and facilities the envy of the Premier League.

Signed for a bargain £6 million from Hamburg in August 2008, Kompany had only been in England for a matter of days when the Abu Dhabi owners took over with riches that have backed City to three league titles.

"Every club you sign for they give you the same pitch: 'We've got a big project, big ambitions, we want to achieve this and that, we want to kick on,' and I just happen to be lucky that City was the one club that didn't lie about it," added Kompany.