Former Arsenal Boss Unai Emery Explains Why He Snubbed Mo Salah Transfer: 'We Had Doubts'

Emery Reveals Reasons Behind Decision to Pass on Salah

Former Arsenal manager Unai Emery has shed light on the reasons behind his decision not to sign Mohamed Salah during his tenure at the Emirates Stadium. In an interview with The Athletic, Emery explained that while he admired Salah's qualities, there were concerns within the club about his suitability for Arsenal's style of play.

Emery stated, "We had doubts about whether Mo Salah would fit our system. We felt that he was a very good player, but we didn't believe he was the right fit for us at that time." He added, "We had a different profile of player in mind, someone who could provide more creativity and link-up play in the final third.

Salah's Success at Liverpool Highlights Missed Opportunity

Salah's subsequent success at Liverpool has led to questions about whether Arsenal missed out on a golden opportunity to sign a world-class talent. The Egyptian forward has been a key figure in Liverpool's recent dominance, winning the Premier League, Champions League, and Club World Cup titles.

Emery acknowledged that Salah's success is a testament to his quality, but he maintains that his decision was based on the best interests of Arsenal at the time. "I don't regret not signing Mo Salah because I believe we made the right decision for the club," he said. "We had other priorities at that time, and we believed that other players were a better fit for our system."

Emery's Record at Arsenal

Emery's tenure at Arsenal was marked by both successes and challenges. He led the team to the Europa League final in 2019 but was ultimately dismissed from his post after a poor run of results in the Premier League.

Despite his departure, Emery remains a respected figure in the football world. He is currently the manager of Villarreal, who recently reached the semi-finals of the Champions League.