Sunday’s game against Cardiff seemed like a movie version of my previous commentaries on Unai Emery’s Arsenal. While it is true that a coach must imprint his own style, sometimes it looks akin to cutting off your nose to spite your face. Emery isn’t the first to do this. Pep Guardiola, in his first season, insisted on playing out from the back, despite errors from the likes of John Stones leading to goals by the opponents. He looks like a genius today (OK, the guy is a terrific coach, and he insists on playing his way), but Manchester City barely made it to the Champions League that year. Would Pep have lived to tell the tale, had they failed? Just about every Arsenal fan, not to...
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