Unai Emery believes he needs to add physicality to his side to ensure Arsenal can compete with the top clubs in the Premier League.
Arsenal have found themselves wanting under Emery this season and have a woeful away record in the Spaniard’s first season as head coach.
The Gunners’ defeat at home to Crystal Palace handed Chelsea the initiative in the race for the top four and Emery hinted he did not have enough powerful players in his squad.
‘In the Premier League, technical quality without physicality is not enough,’ he told Sky Sports.
‘City, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea… All the top teams here are physical and technical. Arsenal need to be the same.’
While Emery will better Arsene Wenger’s points tally (63) last season, the Gunners currently sit in fifth after finishing last year in sixth.
Arsenal have no plans for a serious summer of spending and Emery has called for patience from the supporters as he builds his team.
‘Overall, I think it has been positive,’ Emery said.
‘We are here today with the opportunity to achieve our objectives in both the Premier League and the Europa League, albeit knowing that it is going to be difficult – just as it has been since the start.
‘I want us to be more defensively solid, of course, and we know we need to work on certain things, but the team has made progress.
‘A season can help you to improve, to understand everything better and to continue with your process, and I believe that’s where the club is now.
‘We all want immediate results, but sometimes it requires patience.’
