Emery finished fifth and took Arsenal to the Europa League final in his first season at the Emirates but he failed to win over a large chunk of the Gunners support.
A little under halfway through his second term at Arsenal he was sacked following a run of poor results with the fans turning against him.
The Spaniard indicated that there were bigger problems at Arsenal and the club were going through a major transition.
He feels there were many changes made at the Emirates Stadium and there was no quick fix to Arsenal’s issues.
However, Emery claimed that the board finally gave way to the pressure coming from the fans and sacked him, a decision he understands.
“Five captains left in the first year, there were many changes and patience was needed”, Emery told The Athletic.
“It was not an easy process. The fans did not have patience.
“Xhaka had problems with the fans and in the dressing room where other experienced players did not understand his role as captain.
“Xhaka was an important player for me — he was a good person, very committed to his coach.
“The club was happy with me, but the fans were calling for a change, and it had to happen.”
He believes current boss Mikel Arteta is continuing his work and crucially the Arsenal fans are prepared to be patient with his compatriot, which was never the case when he was in charge.
“They have put together a group who are all going in the same direction, working together, showing respect.
“I knew that whoever began after Wenger, it was difficult for people to understand the changes that had to be made.
“Arteta is doing a good job, continuing what I began. He has had that patience from the fans, the patience they did not have with me.
“But I understand that.”
