The Special Un

> How Arsenal decided to chose Emery over Arteta

I Twill be a morning of questions for Mikel Arteta, but there will at last be some clarity. The former Arsenal midfielder was given enough encouragement that he was succeeding Arsene Wenger that the make-up of his backroom staff and contract terms were being discussed. But instead of a blank canvas and the promise of a Pep Guardiola-style succession at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal went cold on Arteta and warmed to the idea of Unai Emery.

It would have been difficult for Arteta, learning on the job as a coach who doesn’t even lead sessions at Manchester City. If the former Barcelona, PSG, Everton and Arsenal playmaker is anything, he is a blank canvas but Arsenal have opted for something more fully-formed.

After a thorough process, the Emirates hierarchy decided that Emery’s vast experience was key, and the ultimately distinguishing factor between him and the 36-year-old Arteta.

Emery, 46, departed PSG this summer after the club opted not to renew his contract following a two-year spell, instead appointing Thomas Tuchel as his successor.

Emery has been pushing for the Arsenal job since leaving PSG and met club officials earlier this month to hold preliminary talks about the possibility of taking over at the Emirates.

Arsenal CEO Ivan Gazidis has been determined to complete as thorough a process as possible in the manager search, even while continuing talks with Arteta, and he has been persuaded by Emery given his pedigree.

The club are conscious of the supporters’ reaction to any appointment, and how relevant Arteta’s lack of experience is in that regard.

The older manager’s experience – having been so successful in winning knockout trophies at Sevilla, and then a title at PSG – is known to have been key.

It was also felt that Emery might better suit the parameters of the role defined by the club. Corriere dello Sport