Eintracht Frankfurt vs Arsenal: Gunners chief claims club are 'very happy' with Unai Emery, says managing director Vinai Venkatesham

Emery has been under fire after winning just two of their first five Premier League games

Arsenal’s managing director Vinai Venkatesham has insisted that the club are “very happy” with Unai Emery.

The Spanish manager has been criticised for his side’s poor start to the season, particularly in the wake of this weekend’s draw with Watford.

Emery’s tactical approach and questionably-placed commitment to playing out from the back have particularly irked some, but Venkatesham says that they are pleased with the job he is doing.

“Absolutely, we are very comfortable with him and his coaching staff,” he told The Straits Times.

“We think he is doing an excellent job, so we are very happy.

“When we appointed Unai, the team that worked on that looked at lots of different attributes that we felt we want to have in our head coach.”

Arsenal begin their Europa League campaign with a visit to Eintracht Frankfurt.

The beginning of their Premier League season has been plagued by individual defensive errors and structural problems through the spine of the side.

Emery has placed his faith in youth – Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Matteo Guendouzi and Joe Willock have all been regular starters this season – and Venkatesham has affirmed that this is important to the club.

“We want a coach who was willing, able, and had a track record of playing young players, because that is an important part of Arsenal Football Club.

“First, it is financially efficient. The more players you have coming from the academy, the more funds you can then use to invest in the transfer window because you then have a budget that is being stretched among fewer players.

“More important than that is we want players in the dressing room who really understand what it means to play for Arsenal, players who have grown up with the club.”