Are Arsenal worse off with Emery?

Former Liverpool defender and now TV pundit Jamie Carragher has suggested Arsenal could be worse off now than when Arsene Wenger left. Is Carragher right? Are the Gunners any better now with Unai Emery at the helm than when Wenger called time on his tenure in North London.
There is no doubting that Wenger’s time at Arsenal had run it course and after over two decades at the club, frustrations were growing among the supporters about the team’s lack of recent progress.
Emery came in and helped Arsenal reach the Europa League final last season, only to fail in their hopes of securing Champions League football for this season.
Carragher’s comments came after a lacklustre performance away from home on Monday night as Arsenal suffered a 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United.
Pundits are paid to make big statements and attract viewers, so perhaps Carragher was over-exaggerating somewhat.
Yes, Arsenal do appear to have the same frailties they had away from home a couple of seasons ago under Wenger.
Yes, they still have not managed to address the defensive issues they had year-on-year towards the end of Wenger’s reign.
However, on the flip side, Arsenal would have jumped up to third place in the table had they won at Bramall Lane.
The talk of course would then be about the Gunners being back in business and could they potentially close the gap on the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City.
Of course, like on most occasions, the truth is probably somewhere between the two extremes.
Arsenal are one of the clubs that are trying to find their place in the Premier League after the emergence of Liverpool and City as the two major forces in the competition.
The likes of Manchester United and Chelsea could also be lumped in that group with Arsenal, as club’s who suddenly find themselves playing catch up to the Reds and the Citizens.
Arsenal could do with bringing in improvements at the back and they are likely to do that in January or next summer.
But let’s not forget this is a pretty youthful side that will need time to grow under Emery at the Emirates.
The Spanish tactician showed what he can do with clubs like Sevilla and Paris Saint-Germain so there are no doubting the managers credentials.
Arsenal can’t let themselves get too down after the defeat to the Blades and they will be determined to bounce back in their next Premier League outing against Crystal Palace at the Emirates.
Sensational punditry aside, this is not a bad side but just one that needs a bit confidence and some edge injecting to it, if they are indeed to bring those Champions League nights back to the club.