“It is one evolution in football, but football is every year changing. Goalkeepers can play like a player, to start short with the centre-back or the right or left-back,” Emery said. “It is not compulsory to start each action with [a short pass]. Maybe if the opposition is doing high pressing against us, then we need also to find another option and to play the ball long in the second action.
“We are training for each situation. I want in each moment to know what is our best action to do in the match. This is our creative style and idea. We need — with security, with confidence — to build in each match and training session. We are in this process.”
The Spaniard also insisted he hasn’t paid any attention to the negative criticism his team received after the City loss.
“I am looking at positivity inside [the club]. We can’t always transmit positive things outside,” he said. “When you win, when you lose, it must be consistent, you must stay regulated, keep thinking positively every day. You need to take the positive things out of the game to build our identity.”
The loss to Man City puts added pressure on Arsenal to deliver a result at Stamford Bridge, where they haven’t won in the league since 2011.
And while Emery will stick to his overall philosophy, he could make some tactical adjustments compared to the City game.
“We are working in preseason to build our ideal and I don’t want to change that. But it’s clear that each match is different. I think 70 percent of our personality is thinking for us, and 30 percent for the opposition.”