Arsenal set to reveal Unai Emery as new manager to replace Arsene Wenger

Spaniard Unai Emery will replace Arsene Wenger as the next manager of Arsenal. Photo / AP

Arsenal are set to appoint Unai Emery as their new manager after thinking twice over giving Mikel Arteta the job.

The Daily Mail revealed that Emery, 46, was emerging as a late contender for the job - and he is set to be named Arsene Wenger's successor this week.

Emery has held positive talks with the Arsenal hierarchy and overtaken Arteta in the race to land the job.

Arteta met with Arsenal officials last week and those close to the Spaniard believed he was on the verge of getting the role.

But the Gunners have since held discussions with Emery, who is expected to be presented as the club's next manager in the coming days.

Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis was last night thrashing out the finer details of the deal with Emery's representatives.

Emery was axed from his role as Paris Saint Germain manager at the end of last season, with Thomas Tuchel taking his position in the French capital.

The news was met with shock from players on Monday night, who had fully expected Arteta to be in charge next season.

But news started filter through among the playing staff from around 4pm of Emery's imminent appointment.

Gazidis and director Josh Kroenke had been set on handing the job to a younger coach with fresh ideas.

So the move for Emery comes as something of change of heart; the Spaniard coming with vast experience during his time with Sevilla and PSG.

Arteta was set to sign a three-year deal worth £4 million a year, and it's believed the former Arsenal and Everton player would have accepted the job.

Arsenal insisted on Monday night that they had not got cold feet over offering the job to Arteta, insisting they were fully committed to the process of identifying Wenger's replacement.

UNAI EMERY

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 spend 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
Lasted six months

2013-16 Sevilla
Won three successive Europa League trophies

2016-18 Paris Saint-Germain
Won the domestic treble

Managerial career
P: 719, W: 385, D: 155, L: 179. 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