SLICK EMERY
ENGLAND NEW ERA AT ARSENAL FACTFILE
BY DAVID ANDERSON UNAI EMERY paid tribute to the legacy left by Arsene Wenger as he set out his vision for Arsenal.
The 46-year-old left Paris St Germain at the end of the season having won the domestic treble and will replace Wenger at the Emirates Stadium following the end of the Frenchman’s 22-year reign.
Emery – who emerged as the shock favourite earlier this week after it seemed former Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta was in line to land the job – is set to fit into a new structure behind the scenes.
He said: “We will create a new present and a new future for Arsenal. I want to say thank you Arsene for your legacy. For all the coaches in the world, he is a reference.
“We learned, I learned from him all the things in football.
“It’s a big challenge for me but I have worked also in other projects, big projects. I am proud to be here and to work after Arsene.”
Emery, who won three successive Europa League titles with Sevilla before moving to PSG in 2016, maintained he had his own plans about how to take Arsenal forward, the club having finished sixth in the Premier League last season.
He said: “Our objective is to be among the best teams in Europe, to win titles and to be in the elite of European teams. I also want the team to make the fans proud.
“In my career, I have been very demanding on myself. I ● Born Nov. 3, 1971 in Spain. ● Began playing career in 1990 as midfielder with Real Sociedad B. Played five times in La Liga before spells at Toledo, Racing Ferrol, Leganes and Lorca Deportivo.
● Playing career ended in the 2004-05 season due to a knee injury and Emery took charge at Lorca Deportivo.
● Stints at Almeria, Valencia and Spartak Moscow before he moved to Sevilla in 2013, where he led the team to three straight Europa League titles.
● Joined PSG in June 2016 and won both French cups before leading them to treble in second season.
Honours: Sevilla – Europa League (2014, ‘15, ‘16); PSG – Ligue 1, French Cup x2, League Cup x2, Champions Trophy x2.