Five things we learned about the new boss and how Gunners got him

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are five things we learned in statements from new Arsenal boss Unai Emery, chief executive Ivan Gazidis and majority shareholder Stan Kroenke:

NOT THE ‘ MANAGER’

1 While

Wenger was all- powerful at Arsenal – perhaps to his detriment – there is now a new regime in place. In the official announcement of Emery’s appointment, he is referred to as the “head coach” and not the “manager,” suggesting he will have a limited role in the day- to- day running of the club compared to his predecessor. Unai will be expected to work closely with new heads of recruitment and football relations Sven Mislintat and Raul Sanllehi. His relationship with Monchi at Sevilla suggests that should not be a problem.

HOW THE HIRING PROCESS WORKED

2 It

had appeared for all the world as though Mikel Arteta would be named the new head coach last week, but Gazidis said the board were “unanimous” in their choice of Emery. “We conducted a confidential, wide- ranging and rigorous search involving extensive background references, data and video analysis, and personal meetings with all the candidates we shortlisted,” Gazidis said. “All were interested in the position and we were unanimous in our choice of Unai to drive the next chapter of our history.”

WHY THEY CHOSE EMERY

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to Gazidis’ glowing words, Kroenke, pictured, said there were several things which stood out in Emery’s interviews and helped the club reach its decision in hiring him. “His football knowledge, energy, determination and love of the game. His familiarity with our club and our players, the Premier League and the game in Europe were all very impressive,” he said.

WHAT ARSENAL EXPECT FROM EMERY

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are at a low ebb and face another year outside the Champions League next season after a disappointing sixth- place finish under Wenger. Replacing the Frenchman will be no easy task, but Kroenke’s and Gazidis’ words do not suggest the club expect a radical change of direction for the club. “He shares our vision to move forward, to build on the platform created by Arsene Wenger and help this club enjoy greater success,” Kroenke said. In many ways, it sounds like the club would like Emery to repeat all the best bits about Wenger ’s early days at Arsenal.

“[ He] has developed some of the best young talent in Europe and plays an exciting, progressive style of football that fits Arsenal perfectly,” Gazidis added.

“His hard- working and passionate approach and his sense of values on and off the pitch make him the ideal person to take us forward.”

HOW HIGHLY EMERY REGARDS THE CLUB

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of Emery’s big challenges will be getting the Arsenal supporters back on board. Any sense of optimism has been drained out of the club over the past few years and there was a worrying growth in the number of empty red seats around the Emirates in games towards the end of last season. Speaking about the club in terms of its global standing and its reputation for attractive football and developing young talent may just be the music to their ears that Arsenal fans need. “I am thrilled to be joining one of the great clubs in the game,” Emery said. “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.”

EVAN BARTLETT