By Frank KamuntuÂ
Arsenal should forget about their opposition and focus more on their own strengths according to Robin van Persie
Robin van Persie reckons Unai Emery needs to have more faith in his Arsenal players
Robin van Persie left Arsenal in 2012 because the Club didn’t match his ambitions – and seven years later he is worried that not much has changed.
He believes the Gunners must play to their own strengths and not worry so much about their opponents if they hope to improve under Unai Emery.
Arsenal won their first two Premier League games of the season against Newcastle and Burnley in impressive fashion.
But they came unstuck against top dogs Liverpool and were forced to come from 2-0 down to snatch a point against bitter rivals Tottenham last time out.
Emery has been tasked with Champions League qualification this term after missing out last season in a humiliating Europa League final beating by Chelsea.
And Van Persie thinks the Spaniard needs to trust his players to play to their strengths this year, rather than react to the threat that other teams pose.
“I think if you are a coach of the top six teams in England you have to play to your own qualities and the players you have,” the Dutchman told the Daily Mail.
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“When you manage a team in the top six of England, you have the money, you have the players, the money, the stadium, the fans, everything.
“If you compare that with Liverpool and City, they are playing 80 per cent on their own philosophy and way to play. Arsenal can do that more.
“If you are the coach of Arsenal, you should play to your own strengths and not adjust so much to the strength of the opponents, because a top six team should play to their own strengths.”
Emery was criticised for switching his midfield to a diamond shape for the 3-1 defeat at Anfield two weeks ago.
The Gunners’ formation gave Liverpool’s full-backs acres of space down the flanks to whip dangerous balls into the box.
And Van Persie thinks Arsenal showed the champions of Europe too much respect which resulted in their downfall.
“I don’t think that balance is right,” added the former Manchester United star.
“That is based on what I’ve seen, for example, in the bigger games like against Liverpool.
“In my opinion, he is adjusting too much to the opponent, which you shouldn’t do if you are the coach of Arsenal.”
