Unai Emery: Half-time team talk behind Arsenal’s win in Lisbon
Unai Emery reveals half-time team talk was behind Arsenal’s match-winning second-half display against Sporting
- Unai Emery hails Arsenal’s response to half-time team talk in Lisbon on Thursday
- Arsenal were ordinary in the opening half against Sporting but came back to win
- Emery says focus is on Crystal Palace alone as they move to 11-straight victories
- Sporting Lisbon 0-1 Arsenal: Danny Welbeck strikes late to keep streak going
Unai Emery revealed Arsenal’s improved second half display against Sporting was the result of a few half-time home truths.
The Gunners were pedestrian in the opening 45 minutes as they struggled to impose themselves on the game.
But a much improved second half display ensured the Gunners secured what was, in the end, a deserved win to make it nine points out of nine in the Europa League.
Unai Emery says a few home truths inspired his players to improve their performance in Lisbon
And Emery says a some choice words at half-time helped shake his team out of their first half slumber.
‘The most important thing is we were in dressing room at half time and we spoke about not imposing ourself in the first 45 minutes,’ said Emery.
‘But we said in the second half we have an opportunity to change the result and continue our way, thinking only to win this match and to improve.
‘We did that. The is very important for us because we want to finish first in this group and Sporting were level with us. I think it is a big positive thing today.’
Danny Welbeck celebrates after finally breaking the deadlock in the 77th minute of the match
The victory moved Arsenal one step closer to the club’s all-time record of 14 wins on the bounce – the win over Sporting their 11th consecutive victory.
But Emery insists his only focus is Sunday’s clash against Crystal Palace.
The Spaniard said: ‘There’s still three matches, that’s a lot. We are only thinking of Palace. Every match not easy for us. Sunday, in our history at Palace, is very difficult for us.
‘I’m only thinking about three points at Palace but I know it’s very difficult to win there.’
Meanwhile, Emery played down an incident in the dying moments that appeared to see defender Sebastian Coates elbow Stephan Lichtsteiner.
‘I didn’t see it, but things happen on the pitch,’ added Emery.
Emery insists Arsenal must focus on beating Crystal Palace with a club record in sight
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