Sporting vs Arsenal – What Emery told his Boys at half-time

Unai said he noticed a shift in Arsenal’s performances before and after the half-time whistle during the Europa League clash with Sporting CP”.

His Team, having struggled to make the first 45 minutes counts, attacked with much more intent after the break to extend the winning run to 11 games in a row.

So what did Unai Emery say to his side at half-time that made them win?

“The match is 90 minutes and different things happened tactically and individually in the game,” said Emery. He further pointed that His side were in a better position to win the game although the first half was not clear for Arsenal. 

“The balance for the two teams, I think there are a lot of chances to score. And in the second half, I think, step-by-step, we imposed our jobs and we imposed our good play in the second half.

Unai Emery

“For us it’s very important, because we want to finish first in this group and at the moment, the other team who is with us is Sporting Clube de Portugal and we are happy. But also, for continuing our process with the players, different players and also with the rhythm with every player in all the matches we are playing, I think there are positive things today here in this work.

Unai Emery

“Each match is a very big opportunity to improve things and one thing is this. We spoke in the dressing room before the start of the match today about our objectives. And one objective is this. But the most important thing is that when we were in the dressing room at half-time, we spoke. 

“We cannot impose our ideas in the first 45 minutes but in the second half we have the chance and the opportunity to change the result and continue in our way, thinking only to win this match and to improve things in the second half. I think we did that in the 45 minutes of the second half. But we need to continue finding the solution for us to be better in the first halves.”

Unai Emery