Arsenal loanee Denis Suarez told he needs to wait for first start by Unai Emery

Unai Emery has urged Denis Suarez to be patient despite the Spaniard not starting a match since joining the club on loan in January.

Arsenal have had five fixtures since the playmaker moved from Barcelona on loan in January but Suarez has not started and has played only a cumulative 66 minutes in four substitute appearances.

Emery believes he is still adapting but after Wednesday evening’s home match against Bournemouth, Arsenal have crucial Premier League matches against Tottenham and Manchester United, while they must also twice play Rennes in the Europa League. 

The Spaniard has not started a match since joining the club on loan in January from Barcelona

Alexandre Lacazette took up a position behind the camera for some of the training session

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shows during Lacazette an imaginary yellow card in training

It would seem, therefore, that the Bournemouth match, which Arsenal prepared for with a training session on Tuesday afternoon, will be his one chance to shine before the big games come thick and fast.

For Suarez, it is becoming a concern as he must prove himself to Emery if Arsenal are to active the £20m option to make his move permanent from Barcelona in the summer.

Emery said: ‘Denis is improving every day and his quality can give us a lot. He cannot play 90 minutes because he needs rhythm. 

‘One possibility is he starts and knows that [he would come off] or he comes off the bench.

Emery directs his player during the training session as they prepare to face Bournemouth

‘He is getting to know us. His adaptation needs time. My idea was to play Denis on Sunday off the bench but the injury to Stephan Lichtsteiner meant I could not give him minutes.’

Asked if he has made a decision about the permanent transfer of Suarez, Emery said: ‘For me so far, each match and each week can change a lot. We are every match doing a test. 

‘We are very demanding to work hard, be focused and show everyone we can improve and be better every day. Summer is very far away.’

Mesut Ozil dribbles with the ball as Arsenal look to consolidate themselves in the top four

Emery also admitted he would prefer to work with a sporting director in the future despite Sven Mislintat leaving the club under a cloud midway through this season. 

Arsenal are believed to be considering Roma’s Monchi, who previously worked with Emery and enjoyed huge success at Sevilla.

Emery added: ‘It’s one issue for work in the club. The club is working on how we can improve, how we can be better in the present and the future with the people working for us. 

‘I was usually working a sporting director in all of the teams. When I arrived I was working with Mislintat and I worked well with him. The club is working for change.’

Aubameyang celebrates during the training session with Petr Cech in the background

Midfielder Lucas Torreira passes the ball as Arsenal prepare to take on Bournemouth