SM
Liverpool vs. Real Madrid: 16 hrs 44 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Kieran Tierney: 'Players to blame for Arsenal form, not Unai Emery'

:Headline: Kieran Tierney: 'Players to blame for Arsenal form, not Unai Emery': ID:377818: from db_amp
The Gunners drew 1-1 against Vitoria in Wednesday's Europa League tie.

Kieran Tierney insists it is up to the Arsenal players to address a poor run of form as pressure continues to mount on head coach Unai Emery.

A 1-1 Europa League draw against Vitoria in Portugal on Wednesday afternoon only ramped up the criticism aimed at Emery as the Gunners were lucky to leave Guimaraes with a share of the spoils.

Shkodran Mustafi opened the scoring for the visitors with an 80th-minute header – Arsenal's first and only effort on target during the game – only to see Bruno Duarte equalise in stoppage time.

It is the fourth time in 10 days that Emery's side have let a lead slip and Arsenal have now won just one of their last six games across all competitions.

Emery was defiant following the game when was asked about speculation linking former Chelsea and Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho as a potential replacement – simply replying "I am the coach."

But as the whispers surrounding Emery's future seem to increase in volume with each passing game, Tierney believes turning results around is a challenge that lies on the shoulders of the players rather than their beleaguered coach.

Arsenal manager Unai Emery has the support of Tierney despite coming under increasing pressure (Nigel French/PA)

Asked if he was convinced Emery was the right man to address the recent slide, the Scotland defender replied: "Yes, of course.

"It is up to us as players to correct it on the pitch. For me, he (Emery) has been brilliant since I've come in.

"I have learned a lot. I am learning a lot every day, playing with great players. Everybody in the changing room has got belief in each other and the manager."

Tierney, who joined from Celtic for £25million in the summer, also credited Emery with helping him develop his game as he looks to establish himself in the Arsenal side having made the move while carrying a groin injury.

Tierney says he is learning all of the time under Emery (Nigel French/PA)

"Of course," he replied when asked if Emery was making him a better player.

"The players around me are making me a better player as well. I am just learning and I am enjoying every week.

"He likes to keep the ball, pass the ball with a possession type game and for me I am just learning and working on my technique with him.

"I am working on passing and crossing – everything in general. I am working with the coaches as well, so just all round I am learning."

Tierney has started just six games for Arsenal as the club continue to manage the 22-year-old back to full fitness.

He has also been omitted from the last two Scotland squads at the request of Arsenal after the club put in place a full recovery programme.

It means Tierney will miss the upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers against Cyprus and Kazakhstan but he accepts the decision and is keen to rest up, also revealing Scotland are on board with the situation.

"They (Scotland) understand," he added.

"Of course you want to play for your national team, but you need to do what is best for your career long-term.

"Tonight this my second game in five days so near the end I was tiring.

"It is probably the right decision as now I am going into the international break knowing I am getting a rest and recovery, because since my operation the load has gone up, up and up.

"To get a rest would be beneficial and hopefully for the next camp I'm ready."

amp_article__377818 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-11-14 13:59:14:
html db last update - 2019-11-14 13:59:14 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Unai Emery future - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Kieran Tierney

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Fulham125341717018
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle125341313018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham124351519-415
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .