Emery set to step into Wenger’s shoes at Arsenal: reports

for Arsenal between 2011 and 2016, even had Wenger’s blessing.

“He was a leader, has good passion for the game, knows the club and knows what is important at the club,” Wenger told BeIn Sports.

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

Emery’s own playing career was a modest one, largely in Spain’s lower divisions after failing to make the grade at Real Sociedad.

However, he established a reputation as a bright young coach at Lorca and Almeria before being handed his first big job at Valencia in 2008.

Despite severe financial problems as players like David Villa, David Silva and Juan Mata were sold, Emery led Valencia to third place behind Barcelona and Real Madrid for three consecutive seasons.

A short, ill-fated spell at Spartak Moscow followed before he returned to his homeland at Sevilla in 2013. Emery looks set to become only the second non-British manager of Arsenal in their history, after Frenchman Arsene Wenger.

Emery will take charge of his 7th club and his 6th in the top-flight since he moved into coaching in January 2005 with Lorca Deportiva.

Before joining PSG, Emery had never finished higher than third in topflight league season (in both 2010-11 and 2011-12 at Valencia).

UNANIMOUS CHOICE