Yankey: Emery needs to be given time at Arsenal

Rachel Yankey believes that Unai Emery needs to be given time at Arsenal after a difficult start to the season.

Arsenal sit in seventh in the Premier League after three wins and two defeats, and face Everton at the weekend. They are coming off the back of scoring four against Ukrainian side Vorskla in Thursday’s Europa League tie, but still conceded twice.

The former Arsenal Ladies and England winger suggested that change will take time under Emery.

“When you look at it, there doesn’t seem to be a lot on the pitch that’s changed,” Yankey told Yahoo’s The Football Show.

READ MORE: Brighton star admits to battle with depression last season

READ MORE:
Joshua v Povetkin preview – The undercard

READ MORE: Ronaldo will not miss out on emotional return to Old Trafford

She explained “It takes time, off the pitch, different things, a different voice. We’ve got to give the team time to understand what the manager wants, and then produce on the pitch”.

Yankey experienced her own period of upheaval at Arsenal when Vic Akers left the club in 2009, after taking up the role in 1987.

Yankey said: “We went through three or four managers.

“It’s only now it’s really started to settle down.

“There are going to be changes. People come out of the team, people come into the team.

“There will be big changes. I think the best thing about Arsenal is it’s a loyal club, and they will give the manager time, or I hope they will give the manager time, because you need something to just settle.”

Listen to Yahoo Sport’s History of the Heavyweight Championship podcast with Steve Bunce, available now on iOS or Android.