Denis Suarez has praised Arsenal as one of the world’s greatest clubs, but admitted disappointment at the way Unai Emery was treated during his spell there.
HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 09: Denis Suárez of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Arsenal FC at John Smith's Stadium on February 09, 2019 in Huddersfield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images
Denis Suarez didn’t spend long at Arsenal, and his short time with the club only involved a few brief cameos on the pitch.
Signed in the January transfer window in 2019, Suarez quickly made his debut as a substitute against Manchester City. But he only made five further sub appearances and zero starts before dropping out of the squad completely in mid-April due to injury.
The one upside was that the midfielder largely featured in wins. Arsenal only lost two of Suarez’s six games, winning the other four, and even the defeat to BATE Borisov was offset with the return leg win and aggregate victory the following week.
HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 09: Denis Suarez of Arsenal looks on from the bench prior to the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Arsenal FC at John Smith's Stadium on February 9, 2019 in Huddersfield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images
Yet it was still ultimately a disappointing spell, particularly as Arsenal missed out on the top four, then lost the Europa League final to go trophyless and miss a second shot at Champions League qualification.
All the same, Suarez had plenty of praise for the Gunners in an interview this week despite his personal difficulties during that period.
“I thought the club was fantastic,” Suarez told The Athletic. “It’s a privilege to be able to say that I played for Arsenal, one of the greatest clubs in the world.
“I wasn’t able to reach my normal level, no matter how much I tried. It would have been different if I had been fit and able to compete. But it just didn’t work out.”
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 03: Denis Suarez of Arsenal shields the ball from Fernandinho of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images
Suarez admits his injury problems didn’t only affect him and Arsenal, but also the perception of Unai Emery. The Spaniard argues Emery was treated unfairly during his time in north London.
“It was disappointing for me, but also for Unai,” Suarez added. “I know he was criticised for signing me, because he requested me and rejected other options because he knew me.
“Unai is a top coach and I think he was treated very unfairly at Arsenal. People were not as patient with him as they had been with Wenger in certain moments.
“It’s true that Arsenal are doing very well under Arteta, but it could have been the same with Unai. You just have to look at the job Unai has done at Aston Villa.
“If you compare Arteta’s team with the one Unai had at Arsenal, it’s night and day. I’m not sure a single player from Unai’s side would make it into the line-up today.”
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