Unai Emery reportedly made significant changes to the way Arsenal scout opposition teams before the start of the season.
According to the The Daily Mail , the Gunners no longer send scouts in person to watch all the club’s rivals and provide analysis of their performances ahead of upcoming matches.
It is understood that the change came about after the Arsenal boss requested an appraisal of the club’s existing scouting operation during the summer.
Rather than read tactical observations from others, the publication claims that Emery told the club he prefers to watch games himself and spends several hours analysing film of upcoming opponents on his laptop.
The Spaniard’s preferred method is understood to be a significant departure from those used by Arsenal’s Premier League rivals, many of whom utilise a wide network of scouts to monitor teams for up to two months before a meeting.
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And the Mail reports that some sources at the club believe that Emery would be making better use of his time looking to improve his side and working on its existing shortcomings.
Other figures at the Emirates have also reportedly voiced concerns that some detailed elements of opponents’ strengths and weaknesses are being overlooked because of the manager’s his reluctance to rely on eyewitness accounts in favour of using film and data.
Pressure is mounting on Emery after a difficult run of results which have seen the Gunners fall to eighth in the Premier League – already eight points outside the top four.
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Although they are not regarded as the main reason for the club’s poor form, The Mail reports that there is a belief that changes to the scouting set-up have played a role in the club being under-prepared for some games.
Arsenal have now failed to win any of their last six games in all competitions after being held to a draw by struggling Southampton on Saturday.
Emery’s side were 2-1 down after goals from James Ward-Prowse and Danny Ings, but Alexandre Lacazette scored his second of the game in the dying minutes to rescue a point at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners return to Europa League action on Thursday and can secure passage from Group F with a win or draw against Eintracht Frankfurt.
