Unai Emery ‘thrilled’ to join Arsenal in post-Arsene Wenger era

Unai Emery said he is ‘thrilled to be joining one of the great clubs in the game’ after he was announced as the new Arsenal manager, replacing Arsene Wenger on a three-year deal worth £15million.

The former Paris Saint-Germain boss pipped Mikel Arteta to the role after the ex-Arsenal midfielder had misgivings over the managerial structure at the Emirates Stadium.

Emery has now been tasked with filling the gigantic void left by Wenger, who was in charge of the north London club for 22 years.

Arsenal confirmed on Wednesday morning that Spaniard Unai Emery was their new manager

Emery has been handed the reins of Arsenal after replacing long-serving Arsene Wenger

Emery has been handed the reins of Arsenal after replacing long-serving Arsene Wenger

'I'm very excited to be given the responsibility to start this important new chapter,' he said

‘I’m very excited to be given the responsibility to start this important new chapter,’ he said

Emery is pictured with his predecessor ahead of a match between Arsenal and PSG in 2016

Emery is pictured with his predecessor ahead of a match between Arsenal and PSG in 2016

Arsenal broke the news just after 9am on Wednesday morning, proclaiming that Emery’s announcement marked: ‘A new dawn. A new era. A new chapter.’ 

The Spaniard will be formally unveiled at a press conference at 2pm on Wednesday and, before meeting the media, Emery was handed a special book on Arsenal’s history by club chief Ivan Gazidis.

The chief executive wrote the new manager a message in gold pen which read: ‘Dear Unai, welcome to Arsenal. A new chapter in our book!’

Gazidis then handed it to Emery, saying: This is a book on the history of Arsenal, Unai. You’ll be a new chapter in this book.’ Emery replied, ‘Thank You,’ and shook his new employer’s hand. 

Arsenal chief Ivan Gazidis handed the new Arsenal boss a book on the London club's history

Arsenal chief Ivan Gazidis handed the new Arsenal boss a book on the London club’s history

'Dear Unai, welcome to Arsenal. A new chapter in our book,' Gazidis wrote in the book

‘Dear Unai, welcome to Arsenal. A new chapter in our book,’ Gazidis wrote in the book

Emery said, 'Thank you' and then shook the hand of his new employer on Wednesday

Emery said, ‘Thank you’ and then shook the hand of his new employer on Wednesday

Earlier the Spaniard said: ‘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.

‘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.’ 

Here is what Emery will look like when he is stood on the Emirates Stadium touchline

Here is what Emery will look like when he is stood on the Emirates Stadium touchline

The Spaniard (left) managed PSG last season where he worked with the likes of Thiago Silva

The Spaniard (left) managed PSG last season where he worked with the likes of Thiago Silva

Emery, pictured in 2014, guided Spanish side Sevilla to three consecutive Europa League titles

Emery, pictured in 2014, guided Spanish side Sevilla to three consecutive Europa League titles

The Gunners majority owner Stan Kroenke said: ‘We’re delighted to welcome Unai to Arsenal. He’s a proven winner. We’re confident that he is the right person for the job and that he will work to deliver the triumphs our fans, staff and everyone who cares about Arsenal want.

‘Several things stood out during his interview and the entire process; his football knowledge, energy, determination and love of the game. His familiarity with our club and our players, the Premier League and the game in Europe were all very impressive. 

‘He shares our vision to move forward, to build on the platform created by Arsène Wenger and help this club enjoy greater success.’

A club statement continued: ‘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.’

The manager appeared to confirm he will succeed Wenger on his official website on Tuesday

The manager appeared to confirm he will succeed Wenger on his official website on Tuesday

Former Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta was expected to replace Wenger but talks broke down

Former Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta was expected to replace Wenger but talks broke down

Manchester City coach Arteta was not happy with Arsenal's managerial structure

Manchester City coach Arteta was not happy with Arsenal’s managerial structure

The Spaniard appeared to have jumped the gun on Tuesday night, when he seemingly confirmed his appointment prematurely via a message on his official website.

An image of Emery on a red background next to the Arsenal badge was displayed on unai-emery.com – the website linked to his verified Twitter account.

‘Proud to be part of the Arsenal family,’ the message said against a backdrop of the Emirates Stadium. 

The early release of the image appeared to be a gaffe by Emery’s media team as it was removed shortly after 11pm on Tuesday.

Clicking the link for Emery’s website thereafter instead brought up an error message.

UNAI EMERY – MANAGER FACTFILE

Born: Hondarribia, Spain on November 3, 1971

PLAYER

Started at Real Sociedad, playing five La Liga games at left wing before making his name with Toledo in the second tier, where he would spent the bulk of his career.

MANAGER

2005-06: Lorca Deportiva

Promotion to second division for first time in club’s history

2006-08: Almeria

Promotion to top flight for first time in club’s history

2008-12: Valencia

Achieved three successive third-place La Liga finishes

2012: Spartak Moscow

Lost 11 games in a disappointing six months. Sacked after 5-1 home defeat to Dynamo Moscow. 

2013-16: Sevilla

Won three successive Europa League trophies

2016-18: Paris Saint-Germain

Won the domestic treble

Managerial career

P719 W385 D155 L179 Win:53.5 per cent 

FULL HONOURS

Sevilla

Europa League (x3): 2014, 2015, 2016

Paris Saint-Germain

Ligue 1: 2017-18

French Cup (x2): 2017, 2018

French League Cup (x2): 2017, 2018

French Super Cup (x2): 2016, 2017 

 



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