Unai Emery style of play fits Arsenal 'perfectly', says Ivan Gazidis

Sport360 staff 12:47 23/05/2018
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  • Arsenal have announced Unai Emery as their new head coach.

    Emery, who spent two seasons at PSG before parting ways last month, will be the first new man in the Arsenal dugout for 22 years following Arsene Wenger’s departure.

    Former Arsenal midfielder and current Manchester City assistant coach Mikel Arteta had been the overwhelming favourite before reports broke on Monday night of the imminent appointment of Umery.

    In a statement on the club website, Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis 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.

    “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.”

    Winner: Unai Emery has enjoyed success in the Europa League

    Winner: Unai Emery has enjoyed success in the Europa League

    Emery is tasked with returning Arsenal to the top of the Premier League, as under Wenger the club have slipped some way off top-four contention having finished 12 points adrift last season.

    The 46-year-old led is best-regarded for his success in Spain with Sevilla between 2013 and 2016 – leading them to the Europa League trophy for three seasons in a row as well as to the Copa Del Rey final.

    “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,” said the Spaniard.

    “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.”

     

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