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Arsenal boss Unai Emery heaps praise on Rafael Benitez

Unai Emery heaps praise on Rafael Benitez
© Reuters
The Gunners are on a run of nine successive Premier League wins at the Emirates Stadium stretching back to December 2.

Unai Emery has hailed the "courageous" Rafael Benitez as his "reference point" in English football.

Emery's Arsenal host Benitez's Newcastle in the Premier League on Monday, at a time when the two Spanish managers are again being praised for their work.

Victory would give Arsenal a 10th successive home league win, equalling a run they last enjoyed in the 1997-98 season in Arsene Wenger's first full campaign as manager.

Unai Emery File Photo
Emery has steered Arsenal on a run of nine successive home league wins (Mike Egerton/PA)

Benitez, meanwhile, is on the brink of leading Newcastle close to safety despite the unsettled circumstances he has had to deal with.

In contrast to Emery's first season in English football, Benitez has proven long-term success that includes six largely impressive years with Liverpool from 2004.

Emery said: "I respect him a lot because he is a very good coach and has a lot of experience and a lot of titles.

"Here in England he has more experience than me. It is a big reference for us, for me, as a coach, his work and his courage."

With Arsenal firmly in the hunt for a top-four finish and Champions League football next season, Emery added: "Each match gives us the possibility to progress.

"First is in the table, second is improving as a team, in our system, tactically and individually. I want to be better each match, and I think each player can progress.

"Each player can show us he is improving. In the table, our objective is very clear – to be in the top four. But we know this is difficult and each possibility like Monday is good. It gives us confidence for the challenge."

Emery is also demonstrating a similar level of tactical flexibility that has contributed to much of Benitez's success.

Arsenal have proved convincing while playing with both three and four-strong defences, options that could prove crucial given Lucas Torreira's absence through suspension.

Fellow central midfielders Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey also face late fitness tests, even if the latter is expected to be available for selection.

Atletico Madrid v Arsenal – UEFA Europa League – Semi Final – Second Leg – Wanda Metropolitano
Ramsey, left, and Xhaka are both doubtful for the visit of Newcastle (Adam Davy/PA)

Emery said: "We are taking good performances using different systems and different players.

"In the last two matches, we started with 3-4-1-2 but we finished playing 3-4-3. In 90 minutes we have different systems and different players.

"We need to continue doing that and maybe we can be consistent. The best possibility for us is for all the players to be ready to help us with a good mentality."


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Aaron Ramsey in action for Arsenal on January 1, 2019
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City32262483216280
2Liverpool32247172195379
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs322111060342664
4Arsenal31196665392663
5Chelsea32196755342163
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd32187761431861
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32138114039147
8Watford32137124747046
9Leicester CityLeicester32135144243-144
10Everton32127134542343
11West Ham UnitedWest Ham32126144148-742
12Bournemouth32115164358-1538
13Crystal Palace32106163843-536
14Newcastle UnitedNewcastle3298153142-1135
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton3196163246-1433
16Southampton3189143550-1533
17Burnley3296173759-2233
18Cardiff CityCardiff3284202861-3328
RFulham3345243076-4617
RHuddersfield TownHuddersfield3235241859-4114

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