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Emery on Cech, Lacazette and young players

Petr Cech applauds the fans after the Manchester City game
Petr Cech applauds the fans after the Manchester City game

Unai Emery will lead us into his first Emirates FA Cup tie on Saturday afternoon when we visit League One side Blackpool.

Ahead of the fixture, Unai spoke with newspaper journalists following his press conference. Among the topics discussed were his relationship with Alexandre Lacazette, Petr Cech's future and whether he will play this weekend and his assessment of the talent that our young players possess.

Read on to find out exactly what our head coach said:

on speaking with Lacazette...

I spoke with him individually two times in the last two weeks, but speaking about what we need in each match and also with him. I am very happy with him because he is helping us and heโ€™s scoring. But then it is how we can do the balance with the team tactically and how we can do the combination with different players. When Auba and Laca are bioh playing together, sometimes we need this balance, sometimes both like a striker, other times Auba more right or left. But the most important for me is their commitment when the team needs something tactically they can be OK and prepared to do that. Most important for me for Lacazette is his work, his goals and then sometimes can play more or less minutes.

on whether Cech will play at Blackpool...

We don't decide today. Tomorrow [Friday], I will decide but we want to give a chance for a different goalkeeper to play and I think he is the first option.

on his long-term future at Arsenal...

I donโ€™t know now. This is a question for the club and the player to deal with our necessary things with the goalkeeper. But when he played at the start of the season, he did very well. He was very good behaviour, commitment and performance. Then when he had the injury Leno started playing with a big performance also and then he recovered his position on the bench. But I am happy with him. All situations like this, we will speak with the player and with the club but at the moment, I want his focus the same, each training, each match. He is going to play Saturday to give us his performance and then we are going to decide also within what is the best for him and for the club.

on if it's hard for him to accept being a substitute...

His respect for our decisions is very big and for the other goalkeeper. His commitment has not changed with his new situation. I am happy because we need that respect between us. Petr Cech has very big experience and he is continuing with very good performances and the most important thing is that each player can continue with his behaviour in different situations when they are in the squad., And today his behaviour with his different situation is good.

on whether Smith Rowe might go out on loan...

In the summer there was interest but now it is not our interest.

on whether he's been surprised by the amount of talented young players at Arsenal...

I usually work with young players and give them the opportunity to work with us. Give them chances to play but only if we can get the victory. My responsibility is to work with them and here I want to do that. But each player is going to earn in his way more or less chances with his performances and his everyday work. When they are playing with Freddie in the Under-23 we are looking at their performances and their attitude, if itโ€™s OK or not. And at the moment we are going to continue in this way. We know they can train with us and start playing matches, but it is very difficult. We need to help them and give them these chances.

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