UNAI EMERY has not asked Arsene Wenger for any advice as he looks to stamp his authority on his new Arsenal squad.
The Spanish coach has been working with his players for two weeks at their Colney training base since taking over from Wenger, whose 22-year reign ended in May.
GETTY – CONTRIBUTOR: Unai Emery penned a two-year deal with the Gunners in May 2018
Emery takes charge of his first game against Boreham Wood on Saturday before jetting off with the Gunners to Asia to take on Atletico Madrid and Chelsea, as well as former clubs PSG and Sevilla.
They then face champions Manchester City in the opening game of the season at The Emirates on August 12.
Emery spoke of his admiration for Wenger when presented as the club’s new boss back in May, suggesting he was “proud” to follow in his footsteps.
But the 46-year-old will refrain from asking the Frenchman for his tips on the squad, insisting he has his “own opinions” on the players.
GETTY – CONTRIBUTOR: Arsene Wenger won 17 trophies during his time with the Gunners
Asked whether he has had any contact with Wenger since his hiring, he said: “Not yet. Normally every year when we meet in Lyon for the coaches meeting we have conversations.
“And I am sure we will meet in the next week or month or in the future.
“But each coach needs to know his players – it’s not the same relationships between different coaches and players.
“I have my personality and I want to know them through my own opinion and my conversations with the players.
“I also have more information of the players from my staff around me.
“The information from Arsene would be important but the most important thing is my relationship with my players.”
Emery also had his say on the captaincy for next season – revealing he has FIVE current players in mind.
He added: “It’s about knowing every player and to know the personality of those players.
GETTY – CONTRIBUTOR: Unai Emery alongside coaches Steve Bould, Juan Carlos Carcedo and Pablo Vallanueva
“I think my first idea is to give five captains in the team, but not to name them at the moment because it think I can and need to know more about them.
“And Koscielny is the first captain now and I have to have respect for that and then we are looking at and who is the player who has the best personality and resolution and keep the players together.”
Emery admitted that the club currently have too many goalkeepers in the squad, naming Petr Cech, new signing Bernd Leno, David Ospina, Matt Macey and Emiliano Martinez as the five he needs to watch and whittle down.
But he has been most impressed with Aaron Ramsey – a potential captain in Emery’s five – and reveals that he has told the club of his importance to him.
GETTY – CONTRIBUTOR: Aaron Ramsey has been in fine form ahead of the upcoming Premier League season
He said: “I’m really happy with Ramsey – every day in the training session he has the ambition I want, he is working with the ability I want. I want to work with him.
“This (contract talks) is one question for the player or club but my opinion is that I said to them he is one important player for me.”
GETTY – CONTRIBUTOR: Unai Emery has signed four players during the summer transfer window
