Unai Emery vision impresses as Spaniard ‘wins race for Arsenal job’

Unai Emery is expected to be confirmed as the new Arsenal manager later this week after blowing the Gunners hierarchy away with his vision for the club.

The former PSG coach has emerged as the ‘unanimous choice’ for the Arsenal board to succeed Arsene Wenger after an extensive interview process over the past few days.

Former midfielder Mikel Arteta was the frontrunner to replace Wenger for the past few weeks, but the Spaniard is expected to stay as Manchester City assistant manager. Thierry Henry has also been interviewed for the job.

Emery left Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season after winning one Ligue 1 title and four domestic cups during his two seasons in charge – but his likely appointment will still come as a surprise given he only emerged as a “last-gasp contender” over the weekend after the Gunners were alerted to the Spaniard’s availability.

Emery will now step into the manager’s job at the Emirates Stadium, where his reported budget is just £50million – quite the difference from the vast fortunes at his disposal at PSG.

Unai Emery: Has respect for Arsene Wenger

According to David Ornstein of BBC Sport, ‘an announcement and news conference are expected later this week’ to confirm Emery as Wenger’s successor.

Emery, who made his name during his three-year stint in charge of Sevilla, was at one stage a 66/1 shot and behind Tim Sherwood in the betting odds to become Arsenal manager.

However, while he is described as “not completely fluent” in English, that is not described as a problem, and his appointment is expected to be ratified shortly.

 

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