Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has firmly played down the significance of facing his former club Arsenal this weekend, labelling the crucial Premier League fixture as "just another match".
The Spaniard, who left the Gunners six years ago, will face them for an eighth time on Saturday as his in-form Villa side host the league leaders at Villa Park. A victory for the hosts would see them close the gap on Arsenal to just three points.
Emery's Professional Focus on Villa
When asked if a win would hold extra meaning, Emery was unequivocal. "Not really, for me, is one match special," he explained, referencing previous encounters with Arsenal while managing Villarreal and Aston Villa.
He emphasised the transient nature of football management and his current commitment. "We are professional, and we are changing, and we must focus each moment... And now, for me, it's Aston Villa, and my focus is Aston Villa," Emery stated.
The manager noted that only two players from his tenure, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, remain in Mikel Arteta's current squad, alongside William Saliba who was on loan at the time.
Praise for Arteta's Arsenal Project
Despite downplaying personal sentiment, Emery was effusive in his praise for the work done by his successor at the Emirates Stadium. He described Arteta as doing a "really great job" and highlighted the standards set at the club.
"I think he's clearly the favourite this year, clearly the favourite," Emery said of Arsenal's title credentials. "I think they are competing the best in all the teams in Premier League... In everything – set pieces, tactically, offensively, defensively, get duels, they are very good."
A Formidable Test for High-Flying Villa
The match presents a major challenge for an Aston Villa team in superb form. They have won eight of their last nine matches, and since the start of March, no Premier League side has recorded more victories.
However, Arsenal remain one of only two teams to have won at Villa Park in all competitions since the beginning of last season, underlining the scale of the task.
"Tomorrow is our test, and I am so, so motivated, so, so excited for us," Emery concluded, focusing on his team's current position of 27 points after 14 games. The encounter kicks off at 3pm on Saturday, December 6th.
