Interview

'I've been pushing hard to come here'

Denis Suarez joined the club on loan on Thursday - and we sat down with him for his first interview as an Arsenal player to discuss a range of subjects.



 

Read on for a full transcript:

 

Denis, welcome to Arsenal. What have the last few weeks been like for you while you waited for this deal to happen?

 

First of all, thanks very much. I’m very pleased to be here and to be joining Arsenal. I’ve been pushing hard to come here. I’m finally here now and I’m really pleased.

 

You’ve worked with Unai Emery before, tell us about your relationship with him.

 

I have a very good relationship with him. I spent a year with him at Sevilla when we won the Europa League. I think he’s a very demanding coach and one of the best coaches in the world right now - I’ve been saying that for a while. I’m really happy to have the chance to work with him again and I hope that the rest of the season is successful for me and the club.

 

Why did it work for you and Unai together at Sevilla?

 

I think he’s a great coach. That was my first year playing football at the elite level - my first year in the top division. I improved a lot as a player thanks to him. He really helped me. I think he was a big part of the reason I was able to go back to Barcelona after leaving on loan.

 

What makes Unai a special coach?

 

I think the main thing is that he dedicates a great deal of time to his work. He spends many hours and days watching videos of other teams and his own side. His training sessions are really demanding and he ensures that the team is completely prepared. But as I say, the biggest thing is the time he dedicates to his work. As we’d say in Spanish, he’s ‘un enfermo del fútbol] - football mad.

 

Who do you already know in the Arsenal squad and who has been in touch?

 

I’ve spoken to Hector. He wrote me a message when the rumours started to come out in the press about me joining Arsenal. I hope he can recover as soon as possible. It’s a shame that he’s injured because I’d love to play with him, but I’m sure he’ll be back soon.

 

What are your hopes and dreams for the rest of this season?

 

I’ve come here to play as much as possible and try to help the team qualify for the Champions League. I’d like to win the Europa League with Arsenal too - why not? It’s a trophy I won under Unai Emery at Sevilla and I’d love to win it again here.

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