Press conference

Emery on Ozil, captaincy and the Wolves game

The captaincy, Mesut Ozil's return and frustrations at two dropped points were on the agenda when Unai Emery spoke to the media following Saturday's game.

Here's what our head coach said:

on the draw...

Good evening. I'm disappointed with the result above all because I think the players tried, the players worked, and the most difficult thing against Wolves is to score the first goal and take advantage in the result. We needed to score the second goal to take more confidence than we had at 1-0 and also because they are a strong team defensively, but also they have the structure offensively. They have the habit of playing matches with that result and being consistent to try to score and draw. They did that and we lost the opportunity at 1-0. When they equalised, we tried. We got into the box, we created some chances which weren't very clear but we created them. Also, in the last moments when we were pushing a lot, they had good transitions, one or two transitions when they didn't score. I think it was an equal match and maybe we deserved it a little more than them, but we struggled. In a game against them, when you have that opportunity after 1-0 to get more of an advantage, you need to take it. We didn't.

on the fans' reaction at the final whistle...

I am frustrated with the result and also because we lost two very good opportunities at home against two teams who we didn't win against last season either. But I think the players tried and worked. They did all we spoke about before the game but we lost a very good opportunity after we went 1-0 up.

on one clean sheet at home in last eight games...

We can improve. We must improve that balance defensively. Above all, we deserved more. The key was to have more clear chances to score the second goal and get the result for us. Last week at home, we were also winning 2-0 and in two different situations, we conceded two goals. The key at the moment is not the goals we concede, it's the difference between our goals and the opposition's goals.

on if he feels his position is under threat...

I am very demanding of myself. I feel every time my responsibility to work and to come back from the result with the next matches.

on his contract...

We are speaking about how we can improve and take the good way, and also being calm in the dressing room with the players to achieve performances individually and collectively. These are the conversations at this time.

on Ozil’s contribution and if he will feature more now...

He worked, he played well and I think he has quality.

on Auba being captain in the next game...

It could be. I think he can take that responsibility and today he did that. He is one captain and I think he can take that responsibility. We will analyse the match first, and our situation for the next matches and decide.

on losing winning positions...

We worked on different tactical situations well today. We didn't concede a lot of chances on the transition. We created some chances to score the second but we needed to be more efficient in those actions. When we were winning 1-0 we knew in one moment they could score and they did. But we controlled the match a lot like we prepared. Then they equalised and we started to get into their box. We didn't create big chances and we were closer to the second goal, but we didn’t do that. The result is a bad result, but tactically I think we worked how we wanted. The players tried, they worked, so now we need to finish that match and focus on the next one.

on whether the players understand his instructions…

I think they understand.

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