Unai Emery sends class message to Bukayo Saka ahead of Arsenal showdown

Unai Emery insists he is thrilled to see Bukayo Saka thriving as he prepares to renew acquaintances with the Arsenal star in Saturday’s Premier League summit meeting.

The Spanish coach has rebuilt his reputation at Villa Park following a disappointing spell in north

London which culminated his his sacking just over four years ago.

Emery initially thrived upon his return to management with Villarreal, where he added another

Europa League triumph to his already impressive CV, but it is with the rejuvenated Midlands club where his stock has risen most dramatically.

The victory over Manchester City on Wednesday was yet another significant step in the right direction for Villa, who will now host the league leaders on Saturday night.

To stop Arsenal in their tracks, it would be essential to neutralise Saka’s threat, who has emerged as one of

Europe’s most formidable wingers in football.

The 22-year-old recently celebrated the fifth anniversary of his Arsenal debut and made his 200th appearance for his boyhood club in Tuesday’s 4-3 win at Luton.

Saka is now a far cry from the shy, skinny teenager who made his debut under Emery, but the Spaniard has not been surprised by his stratospheric career trajectory.

‘They [Arsenal] have always had good players in their academy and Saka was one very good example,’ said Emery at his pre-match press conference.

‘His development was because he had very good coaches in the academy and

I helped him and he’s developing a lot under Mikel Arteta.

‘He’s a very good player and he’s a humble person, and I’m very happy for him as a player.’

Meanwhile, Emery and Arteta, the man he replaced at Arsenal, continue to have the utmost regard for one another. The current manager of the Gunners is full of enthusiasm for Arteta.

“I followed him since he was in Almeria,” he declared. His contributions to every squad have

consistently been outstanding. In addition to being Basque, like me, he consistently

enhances the players, the team, and the club. As a manager, I greatly respect what he has accomplished in the field.

“I’m very happy for him because he’s done it in different countries at different levels and has always succeeded.”

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