Arsenal boss Unai Emery admits the sacking of Mauricio Pochettino by Tottenham shocked him.

The Argentine has since been replaced by Jose Mourinho at Tottenham, a manager that Emery has praised as a “very good coach".

However, the Spaniard has also confessed he was still surprised by Spurs' decision to part ways with Pochettino.

“I think it's a surprise how it's finishing that relationship with Pochettino," said Emery. “But I don't know exactly why and I don't know exactly how he is going to change their performance. For me, it was a surprise.

“I think Tottenham was doing a very good work with Pochettino. Really, maybe the last result, the last matches didn't play or didn't achieve the good results, but I think overall that their way in the last years with Pochettino was perfect.

“And now, they decided to change. I don't know why exactly the real reason is for doing that, but they have their way and we have our way and then we are going to battle in our moments."

Pochettino's sacking came just over a week after Emery himself received a public backing from the Arsenal hierarchy about his position.

“Really I am not taking my time to respond in myself for those issues," said Emery.

“I am with a focus on preparing the matches and it is very important how we can improve because we have a lot of work to do. That is really my only focus."