Unai Emery may reunite with five Arsenal players as Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa replacement
Aston Villa have announced the appointment of Unai Emery, who has left Villarreal to take over as manager at Villa Park.
After a disastrous start to the season, Villa parted ways with Gerrard and rapidly focused on hiring a proven coach with high-level experience.
Emery saw the ‘project’ with Villa as an appealing proposition, and he may try to reunite with some Arsenal stars at the club.
Emery is exactly that, having taken Villarreal to the Champions League semi-finals last season and to triumph in the Europa League the year before.
Emery was eager to return to the Premier League after previously spending a season and a half at the Emirates Stadium. He had success with the Gunners and was instrumental in giving young players a chance to prove their worth.
And the Spaniard may look to recruit players from his time in England during the January transfer window. SportsDias examines five players who Emery may be interested in signing.
Matteo Guendouzi
Matteo Guendouzi, a £9 million acquisition from Lorient, was one of Emery’s first purchases at Arsenal, and he fit well into his plans.
The Frenchman was a vital member of Emery’s Arsenal club at the time and remains a tremendous admirer of Emery for giving him a chance in his career at such a young age.
Guendouzi’s value has risen since joining Marseille, but he may be a top signing for Villa, providing them with a prepared substitute for Douglas Luiz if suitors come knocking again.
Emile Smith Rowe
Given Arsenal’s strong start to the season and the club’s interest in a number of other players, it may be difficult for Emile Smith Rowe to reclaim a starting berth in Mikel Arteta’s side.
As a result, he could seek for a loan move in January in order to regain full fitness following his operation.
Smith Rowe has previously been connected with Villa and may give a spark in the final third for the team, with Emiliano Buendia and Philippe Coutinho unable to create at the moment.
Emery gave the England international his first Arsenal appearances in the league cup and Europa League, and the playmaker will remember him warmly.
Reiss Nelson
Gerrard was concerned about Aston Villa’s lack of attacking danger, and their 4-0 win over Brentford at the weekend should not be overlooked.
Reiss Nelson has only played 19 minutes of league football for Arsenal this season and might be moved in January because his contract expires in 2023.
Eddie Nketiah
After being on the edge of leaving Arsenal over the summer, Eddie Nketiah signed a lucrative deal with his boyhood club.
However, the good form of Gabriel Jesus means that the 23-year-old has yet to start a Premier League match this season and has been confined to 125 minutes of action.
Emery gave Nketiah many chances when he was 18/19 and could be persuaded to try and reconcile with the forward at Villa Park on loan, presuming that Arsenal continue to hunt potential striker reinforcements.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Aston Villa’s owners have never been hesitant of wasting the cash on players and wages, and their biggest prominent addition might be luring Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang away from Chelsea.
The Gabon international has never been particularly reluctant to hop ship and Todd Boehly’s desire to recruit Cristiano Ronaldo may ensure that the striker’s opportunities become limited at Stamford Bridge.
Aubameyang scored 22 goals in Emery’s only full season in command at Arsenal and drew the very best out of the 33-year-old.
If the manager wants a proven goalscorer and is willing to ignore Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings, Aubameyang would be a gutsy but scarcely startling pick.
Unai Emery may reunite with five Arsenal players as Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa replacement
