Press conference

'We're happy, but it's clear we need to improve'

Unai Emery was a happy man after we claimed our first win under him by beating West Ham United 3-1 on Saturday.

Afterwards, he spoke to the media about the performance, where we need to improve, Alex Lacazette's impact and Aaron Ramsey's display.

This is what he said:

on his first victory in the Premier League…

We are happy. Happy for the first three points in the third game, after Manchester City and Chelsea. We needed to win today and we needed to show our supporters one match with the three points - it was the first objective of today. But it’s clear we need to improve and we need to improve on working to not concede many chances like today for the opposition. Also, why we conceded is for analysis and for us to improve. It is clear today that maybe in the first half we wanted to use the right back and left back in the attacking moments and we needed the balance with the midfielders. In the first half, we conceded a lot of options. But in this balance, the first goal is in one action with Hector, finished by Nacho. And another option we didn’t do this attack with the fluidity and the balance for the transition.

on the fact West Ham could easily have scored more than one goal…

They are also a good team with a good coach and good players. Also, they can give us problems for our defence. It’s clear that if we defend with more people in the moment, we can lose our performance for the attacking moments. For that, we need the balance not to lose our attacking moments with this balance. But I think we need to improve. Today, I think the first half and the second half is very different. I think in the second half we found this balance better, because we spoke in the dressing room and after the substitutions of players, it made a difference in the second half and it is very important also to help and we need every player.

on Lacazette’s impact…

We spoke before the match. We need every player. The first 11 is very important but the players [that come into] the match are very important also, for each match. They can play five minutes, 10 minutes, 30 minutes or 45 minutes. We need this. Today in the situation, it made a difference. Laca, Lucas and Welbeck are three very important players. They go onto the pitch and help the team. That’s why I am very happy and we need all the players.

on Ramsey’s performance…

He worked for 90 minutes. He worked each moment, which the team needs. His spirit is very important for us, [as is] his experience but also with other players, he’s someone who they can give the ball to in a difficult moment because he played with a very high personality.

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