Emery closes in on position at Arsenal

– Former Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery (right) looks set to become Arsene Wenger’s successor after 22 years as Arsenal manager, the BBC reported this week.

Emery, 46, won Ligue 1 and four domestic cups in two seasons in the French capital before departing earlier this month.

However, the Spaniard paid for his failure to get PSG beyond the last-16 of the Champions League in his two seasons at the Parc des Princes.

“Emery emerged as the unanimous choice following a recruitment process in which all candidates were spoken to,” said the BBC.

PSG had previously reached four consecutive Champions League quarterfinals following the Qatari takeover of the club in 2011, but Emery oversaw a humiliating defeat to Barcelona in the last-16 a year ago, losing 6-1 at the Camp Nou after a 4-0 win in the first leg.

The club then committed to spending €400 million on Neymar and Kylian Mbappe alone – the two most expensive transfer deals in history – last year, but Paris lost in the last- 16 again this year, going out to Real Madrid.

Emery previously enjoyed great success on the European stage at Sevilla, where he won three Europa League titles in three full seasons at the Sanchez Pizjuan.

Former Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta, who has formed part of Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff at Premier League champions Manchester City for the past two seasons, appeared to be the front-runner in the past week.

However, Arteta’s lack of previous managerial experience appears to have seen him lose out to his compatriot. – AFP