Arsenal

Sol Campbell: 'Unai Emery must hit ground running'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 02 August 2018

Former Arsenal centre-back Sol Campbell says that Unai Emery must hit the ground running in the early stages of the Premier League season.

Former Arsenal centre-back Sol Campbell has insisted that Unai Emery must hit the ground running in his role as head coach of the Gunners.

Emery replaced Arsene Wenger as manager of Arsenal at the end of last season, and has been tasked with helping the London club secure a return to the Champions League.

The Gunners will face Manchester City and Chelsea in their first two Premier League matches of the 2018-19 campaign, and Campbell has called on Emery to adapt quickly to the pace of English football.

"The Premier League is going to be in your face, not relaxed like some of the leagues he has been in," Campbell told Sky Sports News. "He will have to adjust to the pressure, week in, week out.

"Some managers get shocked by it but he must get accustomed to it quickly. I'm sure there are plenty of people around briefing him and I am sure he will be ready for it.

"A lot of teams have improved - Tottenham [Hotspur], Liverpool, the two Manchester clubs - so it's tough to get into that top four but hopefully he can surprise us."

Arsenal will round off their preparations for the new season with a friendly against Lazio on Saturday night.