Presser Watch | Unai Emery, Jurgen Klopp, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer speak ahead of Gameweek 3
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Football is back, but before Gameweek 3 officially starts the managers are out in full flow for their pre-match press conferences. There is a lot to say, a few big games coming up and not to mention a lot of controversy after Gameweek 2’s action with the VAR and a few ugly issues playing their part.
Arsenal
Manager Unai Emery spoke about the biggest game of his season so far with the Gunners taking on Liverpool at Anfield. The Reds and Arsenal have had a merry time in this fixture with 79 goals shared between the two sides since the inception of the Premier League. That’s at an average of 3 goals a game, although Liverpool have dominated in recent years.
“Each match is a big challenge and each match is for us to prepare best as possible. The idea is to continue creating in our way and style. We need to be strong and also we can recover some players to be fit,” said Emery to Arsenal’s official website.
“I think we are closer to achieving everyone being ready to play, but we need some more time. For Saturday we are in a good spirit and our players are ready to play with big ambition to do something important.”
Manchester United
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had his question session dominated by everything concerning Paul Pogba, Alexis Sanchez, penalties and social media. That should come as little surprise, however, after the incidents of last week, with Solskjaer also answering a few questions Crystal Palace. The Red Devils face the Eagles on Saturday, which will be a big game for both sides.
"Paul’s fine, he’s a strong character and it makes him stronger. When you speak to him he’s fine and I just cannot belive we’re still sitting here in 2019 talking about these instances. Social media is a place where people can hide behind fake identifies, it’s not down to me to change it but there are so many Ole Gunnar Solskjaers on Twitter, and I know it’s not me.
"We’ve got to do something about it and the authorities have got to do something about it, you feel sorry for them [the trolls], they must have problems themselves," said the Norwegian to Manchester United’s official website.
Tottenham
Mauricio Pochettino and company will face Newcastle United in their third game of what has been a decent start to their season. A win against Aston Villa didn’t come till the final half-hour of their opening fixture, with a draw in their second game against Manchester City. However, with a game against Arsenal coming around the bend, Pochettino had a lot to say.
"I’m not a scientist, I'm not a chemist. You are talking about experimenting. That is in some room outside of this training room. We are coaches and we do our job, we don’t experiment. We train people that have the ability to play football. Then that’s it,” said the Argentine to BBC.
"Please don’t compare us with doctors or people in university studying a lot. I have a lot of respect for the people who do what you say - experiment, to help life - but for us to find solutions, I am only a football coach, far away from the people who work in science or at university."
Chelsea
After a loss and then draw in their opening two Premier League games, Chelsea have officially started their season without a win in their opening two games. Getting that should change the atmosphere around Stamford Bridge, although the Blues are beginning to look like a slightly more coherent side according to Frank Lampard.
“We have shown some really good bits. We are not where we want to be yet, it is not easy to change everything in one go. You have to keep working hard. We will continue to get better.
"We work all the time on different styles. I am talking about managing a game and we have maybe lacked that to a degree,” Lampard said to Football London.
Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp and Unai Emery battle each other yet again in what is the standout clash of Gameweek 3, and Klopp believes that his side is ready for the Gunners. They, alongside their opponents for this week, are the only sides left with a winning run and one team, or both, will see that end this weekend. But despite that run, Klopp believes that his team still have a lot to improve upon.
“We believe in training, hopefully, you will see the benefits. It’s about attacking, it’s about defending. We needed to show 100% attention in all sessions and that’s what the boys showed. First, we have to reach the level of last year. It doesn’t mean after the summer break we’re there. It’s not about being perfect, it’s being ready, “said the German to BBC.
Manchester City
Arguably the easiest fixture to predict this weekend, Pep Guardiola still had a lot to say ahead of his side’s battle against Bournemouth. The Spaniard went on to talk about Benjamin Mendy and John Stones’ injury status and when Joao Cancelo would start while lavishing David Silva with a lot of praise.
“David Silva has an incredible character - a winner. What I admire the most is the records and for you to do 400 games is many bad moments, many good moments, you can have a good year, but almost 10 seasons at the club is special.
"It’s a privilege what he has done with this club, and the last season he can help us achieve. After I spoke with managers he had in Spain, they spoke good. I realised that when I came here. He’s incredible. A winner” revealed Guardiola.
