Unai Emery Arsenal press conference - as it happened: Spaniard is unveiled as Arsene Wenger replacement
Re-live the best bits from Emery's first Arsenal press conference
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Unai Emery is Arsenal's new manager after being officially confirmed on Wednesday morning.
The 46-year-old Spaniard has been appointed to succeed Arsene Wenger, the Frenchman leaving after 22 years at the helm. Emery arrives after leaving Paris Saint-Germain earlier this season and brings with him a wealth of European experience including three Europa League titles.
Fellow countryman Mikel Arteta was considered the long time favourite for the role before the club had an 11th hour change of heart instead opting for Emery after what CEO Ivan Gazidis called "a wide-ranging and rigorous search".
He was officially unveiled this afternoon.
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Ian Wright says Unai Emery's biggest job will be changing the mindset of Arsenal's squad.
"Trying to replace Arsene Wenger after 22 years with what he has done is a massive job in itself. It is not something which is going to be done overnight," Wright said on Sky Sports News.
"I just hope everything has been done in the right way for us to get this manager, not something that all of a sudden we have stumbled upon him and hopefully it works out.
"We need to get our players competing, fit and with a different mindset to what they have had in recent years.
"If he comes in, can coach our players and find a couple of gems...then slowly but surely hopefully we will start getting back to where we want to be.
"I am quite excited about it because change had to come. It has come now, I just think we should all just get on board and really back him.
"I am just pleased we have got someone credible who can take us to the next step."
Emery’s superior experience and excellent track record in European competition no doubt contributed to the decision of the Arsenal board – the Spaniard won three successive Europa League titles with Sevilla before moving to PSG in 2016.
But Emery’s record against English teams is not quite as impressive.
During his time at Valencia, Sevilla and then PSG, Emery has taken on six different English clubs – and has a winning record against only two of them.
Here we take a look at Emery's record against managers he will go toe to toe with in the Premier League.
Arsenal Independent Supporters' Association have backed the decision to appoint Emery.
Chair Lois Langton says: "The appointment of Unai Emery marks the beginning of a new dawn for Arsenal and the title of head coach is an acknowledgement that we cannot allow ourselves ever again to be in a situation where so much power and control is vested in one individual.
"The story that started to break on Monday evening that Emery was the front runner seemed to come from nowhere. But, having now had the opportunity to digest the news, he seems an obvious choice and fit for the club - and his appointment is one that should be welcomed positively.
"He has great pedigree, with eight trophies, including three European titles, already to his name, and many supporters are excited at the prospect of the thorough and disciplined approach he seems to bring to teams."
Langton added: "Above all else, what we now need is for the club as a whole to be united in its support for Emery so that we can get back to focusing on Arsenal Football Club and ensuring its future success. Hopefully, Emery will play a key role in achieving that."
Golfer Ian Poulter, a renowned Arsenal fan, believes Emery has "big shoes to fill" after succeeding Wenger.
He said: "I think whoever was going to take that role has got big shoes to fill. I mean, 22 years and a job well done, I think, from Arsene.
"Hopefully his changes will be good ones and hopefully he can strengthen the team in the right areas, and hopefully he brings the results."
Emery is expected to be with us very shortly.
The media are assembled and waiting for the new man to arrive.
Expect him to be quizzed on the club, his thoughts on the job, what he thinks of his predecessor and, without doubt, his summer transfer plans.
Watch this space. We'll have all of it for you right here.
Ivan Gazidis speaks:
"I’m really delighted to announce the manager as Unai Emery.
"I’d like to give you a bit of background into the process that led us here today. We formed a three-person committee lead by me with Sven Mislintat and Raul Sanllehi.
"We wanted progressive, entertaining football, a personality that fits with Arsenal’s values and a record of developing young players… pushing players and demanding more from them.
"We analysed and looked through – on the basis that every coach in the world would be interested – a lot of coaches and made a long list of eight coaches, all of whom were interested and who took place in extensive, in-depth interviews with the three of us. None of them withdrew their interest, all of them were interested until the end.
"We interviewed Unai on the 10th May as part of that process, making a unanimous recommendation to the board on 18th May with a 100-page dossier that supported his candidacy.
"We met with London-based members of the board this week and then flew to Atlanta to meet Stan and Josh Kroenke. All of the board members were energised by the recommendation and enthusiastically supported it."
"Unai has a competitive passion, detail and a love for football that made us feel that this fit was exactly right for Arsenal."
Unai Emery speaks:
"Good afternoon everybody. Thank you Kroenke family, we travelled to Atlanta for a meeting with Kroenke family and for me it is a very good meeting, very good conversation with him, with his son. All the connections together for this project.
"Thank you too to the chairman, the board. We had meeting Monday morning and also I feel they feel with the heart Arsenal and the conversation with the chairman, the board is very important for me. For no better Arsenal club. Thank you Ivan, thank you Raul and thank you Sven. The first meeting with Arsenal persons are with the three persons who, after three hours, I think very good feeling for will work together for will grow up, create new present and future Arsenal."
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