It’s official. Unai Emery is the new Arsenal manager.
Confirmation came on Wednesday morning that the former Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla boss has been trusted to take over at the Emirates after Arsene Wenger’s 22-year association with the club came to an end this week.
Emery has been welcomed to the club by celebrity fan Piers Morgan for his winner’s mentality, while other supporters are not so sure about his ability to help the Gunners progress.
I wanted a young, dynamic manager with a proven track record.
I thus approve of Arsenal appointing Unai Emery, 46.
Just won the Treble at PSG after winning 3 successive Europas at Sevilla.
He's a winner.
Welcome, Senõr! pic.twitter.com/q8pc0AJN9J— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) May 21, 2018
“I am thrilled to be joining one of the great clubs in the game,” Emery said of his appointment.
“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.”
With Emery confirmed, talk immediately shifted to how much backing he will receive this summer.
His predecessor famously struggled to convince the club to reinvest back into the squad at several stages of his time in North London but Emery will hope to have more success in terms of a larger transfer budget.
Fans quickly identified the player that Emery should make a priority, believing that Sevilla midfielder Steven Nzonzi perfectly fits the bill.
While Nzonzi somewhat struggled at Stoke City, he has gone on to prove himself an invaluable member of Sevilla’s squad over the past three years.
Emery signed Nzonzi back in 2015 and he’s since played his way into the French team. And Arsenal supporters believe he’s the ideal type of midfielder to make the side push on from their sixth-placed finish last season.
https://twitter.com/Rbtraore/status/999215782616883200
https://twitter.com/ProphetUnai/status/998694435557920768
Would not be surprised to see N'Zonzi follow Emery into the Emirates. A lot of people see him as a Stoke reject but I think he is underrated and would add much needed steel to our midfield.
— danders1888 (@TC1168) May 22, 2018
Nzonzi should be the signing of the season for Arsenal. It will solve a lot of problems defensively, secondly, he knows the premier league &our incoming manager too. Make it happen Gazidis & co cc: @Arsenal @ArsenalFanTV @Stuart_PhotoAFC @afcDW @MrDtAFC @AFCAMDEN @bbcsport_david
— Etubi Idoko Stephen, ceci (@Stevemarvins) May 21, 2018
First things first, Emery should convince Nzonzi to join Arsenal.
— 666👁️ (@666_AFC) May 21, 2018
Emery’s first signing should be Nzonzi!!!! Nzonzi-xhaka pivot and we move!!!!!
— JÜLIAN (@_Aikay_) May 21, 2018