Arsenal are still adjusting to their new style of playing out from the back and new manager Unai Emery must be given more time to implement his philosophy, the Premier League clubโs midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan has said.
The North London clubโs campaign began with a 2-0 defeat by champions Manchester City before they went down 3-2 at Chelsea last weekend. Fans and critics have questioned Emeryโs tactics in both matches and called for more solid defending.
โEveryone has their own opinion. We know very well what we are playing for and how we have to play. If we are just going to kick the ball up front and wait for God to give us a chance to score, itโs not necessary,โ Mkhitaryan told Sky Sports.
โThe only thing we have to do is to work hard, believe in ourselves and use the chances we create to score goals โฆ weโre creating chances. Maybe weโre not as good to score at the moment but I think itโs just the first few games.โ
Mkhitaryan backed Spaniard Emery, who replaced the long-serving Arsene Wenger this season, to find a balance between attack and defence.
โEmery (has) kept the philosophy of Wenger but is building something new on it. Itโs not easy but I think heโs doing it in the right way,โ the Armenia international added.
โHe wants to play football and dominate the game and thatโs what we are doing โฆ The important thing is to stay positive, believe in ourselves and to keep working the same way and the result will come.โ
Arsenal host West Ham United in the league on Saturday.