The Gunners journey to Emery’s Aston Villa for Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off trailing their rivals – albeit solely on objective distinction and with a recreation in hand – after Pep Guardiola’s aspect secured a 3-1 win.However Emery, who spent 18 months in cost on the Emirates Stadium earlier than he was changed by Mikel Arteta, believes the Gunners are nonetheless within the hunt to win their first title since 2004.”Arsenal are a very good crew in an excellent second,” mentioned Emery, 51.”Their final matches received’t change the arrogance, and the way they’re progressing, how they’re enjoying and their prospects to win the title this 12 months.”Emery succeeded Arsene Wenger on the north London membership and led them to a Europa League remaining – the place they suffered a heavy 4-1 loss to Chelsea – and fifth within the league earlier than he was sacked in November 2019.READ MOREBut talking forward of Saturday’s reunion along with his former employers, Emery mentioned: “At Arsenal, I had excellent experiences. I loved it there.”I used to be there for one and a half years. However you need to use these moments to be taught, to get stronger and I turned a greater coach after my experiences in Arsenal.”I’m so grateful to Arsenal, to the homeowners, to the supporters, to the gamers. However I’m very grateful to everyone right here and I’ll use my experiences from my time at Arsenal and get higher with Aston Villa.”Emery has overseen an upturn in Villa’s fortunes since he left Villarreal to take over on the Midlands membership following Steven Gerrard’s dismissal.However though Villa are as much as eleventh within the desk and 10 factors away from the relegation zone, they host Arsenal following back-to-back defeats to Leicester and Manchester Metropolis and Emery insists his first job is to maintain Villa within the high flight.Succession: Arteta changed Emery at Arsenal in 2019 / Arsenal FC by way of Getty ImagesHe added: “Tomorrow, our problem is evident. Our goal doesn’t change. The goal is similar as earlier than the match in opposition to Leicester and after the 2 video games we misplaced.”We should attempt to escape the underside and we’ve not performed that but.”We are attempting so as to add factors and get to the highest 10, and if we will catch some groups we’re going to attempt to do it.”Extra reporting from PA