As Unai Emery steers Aston Villa to success, the echoes of his turbulent tenure at Arsenal continue to resonate. The Spanish tactician’s departure from the Gunners in November 2019 marked the end of a challenging chapter, marred by divisive dynamics in the dressing room and the underwhelming performance of star signing Nicolas Pepe.

Emery’s initial promise of ushering in an exciting and proactive style of football to succeed Arsene Wenger’s era faltered as pragmatism overshadowed the envisioned approach. A series of setbacks, including a seven-game winless streak, culminated in his departure after 18 months at the helm.

The leadership puzzle further complicated matters. Emery’s decision to institute a five-man leadership group, with Granit Xhaka initially at the helm, quickly unraveled. Xhaka’s altercation with fans led to his captaincy’s stripping, denting the team’s cohesion and Emery’s authority.

At the heart of the disappointment was the club-record signing of Nicolas Pepe for £72 million in 2019. Emery envisioned Pepe as the catalyst for an attacking revolution, bringing “pace, power, creativity, and more goals.” However, the Ivory Coast international struggled to live up to the lofty expectations. In 16 appearances under Emery, Pepe managed three goals and four assists, far from the transformative impact anticipated.

Reflecting on his time at Arsenal, Emery acknowledged the challenges faced during the second year of his tenure. He cited issues like the selection of four captains, the Ozil-Kolasinac incident, and Pepe’s adaptation as contributing factors to the team’s underwhelming performance. Despite a promising start, the lack of defensive solidity and competitiveness proved to be detrimental.

“I am clear about my diagnosis,” Emery admitted. “We did good things there. The process was good. This second year, we have not played well. We have not defended well. We have not been competitive.”

Nicolas Pepe, once the beacon of attacking prowess, found himself on a different path. The Ivorian forward, now playing in Turkey for Trabzonspor, was offloaded by Arsenal at a reduced price in the summer. His departure signified the end of a chapter that fell short of the envisioned success.

As Emery thrives with Aston Villa, his reflections on the Arsenal era provide insights into the challenges faced and the intricate web of dynamics that impacted his managerial stint.