Arsenal have announced that Unai Emery will become the club’s new head coach. Emery stepped down from his position at Paris Saint-Germain at the end of last month and Arsenal’s talks with the 46-year-old have advanced in recent days.
The Spaniard won the domestic treble in his final season at PSG and previously steered Sevilla to three consecutive Europa League titles which no other team has achieved in history.
There were reports that Mikel Arteta could be in line for the post, but chief executive Ivan Gazidis revealed that Emery was the club’s unanimous choice.
Emery said that he is ‘very excited’ to be handed the responsibility following Arsene Wenger’s departure at the Emirates.
‘I am thrilled to be joining one of the great clubs in the game. Arsenal is known and loved throughout the world for its style of play, its commitment to young players, the fantastic stadium, the way the club is run,’ Emery said in an official statement.
‘I’m very excited to be given the responsibility to start this important new chapter in Arsenal’s history. ‘I have met Stan and Josh Kroenke and it’s clear they have great ambitions for the club and are committed to bringing future success.
‘I’m excited about what we can do together and I look forward to giving everyone who loves Arsenal some special moments and memories.’
Gazidis confirmed that Emery was the club’s unanimous choice to succeed Wenger.
He said: ‘Unai has an outstanding track record of success throughout his career, has developed some of the best young talent in Europe and plays an exciting, progressive style of football that fits Arsenal perfectly.
‘His hard-working and passionate approach and his sense of values on and off the pitch make him the ideal person to take us forward.
Mikel Arteta ‘We conducted a confidential, wide-ranging and rigorous search involving extensive background references, data and video analysis, and personal meetings with all the candidates we shortlisted.
‘All were interested in the position and we were unanimous in our choice of Unai to drive the next chapter of our history.