BBC: Arsenal To Appoint 46-Year-Old As Wenger’s Replacement This Week, Not Arteta

BBC journalist David Ornstein has sensationally claimed that Arsenal will appoint Unai Emery as our new manager with an official announcement due later this week.

We’ve been searching for a new manager since Arsene Wenger announced over four weeks ago that he was leaving at the end of the season following 22-years in charge.

The likes of Max Allegri, Patrick Vieira and Luis Enrique were all linked with the job but Mikel Arteta soon emerged as the red-hot favourite to become Arsenal’s next manager with many media outlets claiming it was a ‘done deal’.

However, news emerged earlier today suggesting there was a late hitch as Arteta was supposedly unhappy with the lack of input he’d have on player recruitment and rumours began to circulate that Emery had emerged as a late candidate.

It seems things have moved quickly as respected journalist David Ornstein has claimed this evening that Arsenal have now opted to go with Emery after holding talks with the former PSG boss.

Ornstein says an announcement and press conference are due later this week after chief executive Ivan Gazidis, head of football relations Raul Sanllehi and head of recruitment Sven Mislintat unanimously chose Emery to be the next manager.

He tweeted:

BREAKING: Arsenal to appoint Unai Emery as new manager. Thorough process produced 46yo Spaniard as unanimous choice. Available after leaving #PSG (1 Lg1 title, 4 cups), previously Sevilla (3 EL wins), not fluent English. Announcement + press conference likely later this week #AFC

— David Ornstein (@bbcsport_david) May 21, 2018

The 46-year-old is available after leaving PSG where he won the domestic treble this season while he also won three consecutive Europa League titles at Sevilla.

It’s safe to say Emery is a far less risky option that Arteta as he has experience at top European clubs and has won plenty of trophies so he should be a decent appointment.

However, it’s a concern that he doesn’t speak fluent English [yet] so he’s going to have to brush up over the coming weeks before the squad returns for pre-season in July.

Plus, it’s known that he’s a bit of a soft touch. The players at Valencia walked all over him and he couldn’t control the top stars at PSG, so unfortunately I’m not convinced he’ll give his squad the kick up the arse they need.