Chris Sutton has now predicted how Arsenal fans will react to Unai Emery returning to the Emirates Stadium with Aston Villa.
The Spanish manager will step foot in the red half of north London with fans in the stadium for the first time since being sacked by Arsenal back in 2019, with Mikel Arteta since being appointed and transforming the Gunners into one of the best clubs in the country.
The evolution of Arsenal under Arteta has been nothing short of extraordinary, with the Basque coach taking the Premier League giants back to the UEFA Champions League, whilst Emery has found a home in Villa, who tonight take on LOSC Lille in the UEFA Europa Conference League.
And Sutton has now claimed that Arsenal fans will be more than welcoming of Emery this weekend
Chris Sutton predicts Arsenal fans to welcome Emery with Aston Villa
Speaking on It’s All Kicking Off, the pundit made the claim that Arsenal fans will be receptive towards Emery given what has happened since the Spanish manager’s departure and the mood the north London side are now in.
Arsenal have been in exceptional form in the Premier League in 2024, and a win on Sunday would be huge in Arteta’s bid to bring home the first league title for the Gunners since 2004, with Sutton predicting Emery to be warmly received.
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The pundit said when asked how Arsenal fans would react to Emery coming back to north London for the first time since leaving the club: “A respectful reception.
“It didn’t work out for him, it was really difficult for him in many respects, but I think with the mood at Arsenal in this moment in time and Arteta doing so well that Emery will go there and I doubt he’ll be booed, I think there will be respectful applause.”
Arsenal fans should be respectful towards former manager
Whilst the first thought for many Arsenal fans might be to boo Emery, to take such an approach would be unfair to a manager who was placed in charge of a different club that at the time were on its knees post-Arsene Wenger.
Five years is a long time in football, during which Arteta has transformed the north London side back into their former best and now has fans dreaming of silverware and titles for many years to come with one of the best squads in Europe.
And Emery played his part in this rebuild, signing the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and William Saliba and giving Bukayo Saka his first minutes in the first-team, two events that have been pivotal in Arsenal becoming who they are now.